O. Warren Mitchell
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A private memorial life celebration for O. Warren Mitchell, 84, Lawrence, is planned for this spring.
Mr. Mitchell died February 16, 2010, in Lawrence.
He was born Sept. 23, 1925, in Abilene, the son of J.L. (Roy) and Laura Cooley Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell graduated from Minneapolis High School, then served as an airman during World War II as a radio operator and aerial gunner on a U.S. Navy patrol bomber in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
After the war, he married Mary Aldene Letterman in Salina, June 15, 1947. She preceded him in death Jan. 8, 2001.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas School of Business in 1950.
Mr. Mitchell started his business career in Lawrence with 10 years at Morgan-Mack Ford, serving as sales manager from 1950-57. He was a Lawrence realtor for 40 years and served as president of the Lawrence Board of Realtors and vice president of the Kansas Association of Realtors. He was an early recipient of the Realtors Distinguished Service Award and retired in 1991.
He also served as president of the Lawrence Knife and Fork Club and the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club and chaired the annual March of Dimes campaign.
Mr. Mitchell was a member since 1948 of the First Christian Church, where he served as financial secretary, deacon elder and member of the building committee.
He was a lifetime member of the Kansas University Alumni Association, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include three sons, Richard, Lawrence; Stephen and partner Paula Selleck, Fullerton, Calif.; and Jay and wife Kim, Menlo Park, Calif.; four grandchildren: Adam, Joshua, Laura and Sarah.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church, the American Legion or to a charity of the donor’s choice, in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Steve and Rick: your dad was one of the best men I’ve known. I’m confident one of his joys in life was two good sons.
Jay, Rick and Steve,
I am sorry for the loss of your dad. I have many great memories of the influence of both your mom and dad in my life both in and out of real estate. I enjoyed seeing your dad occasionally during the last couple of years and even got him to come in the office for a cup of coffee. The time sure has flown. It seems just like yesterday that we were putting together Mitchell real estate signs in the basement of the Mass street office! Best wishes to you all. Your folks were special to many of us.
Doug Stephens
Warren Mitchell was our realtor in 1958 when we first moved to Lawrence. I would have been utterly miserable without him. When things didn’t go smoothly he was so calm and took charge and made everything OK. We moved away and only saw him once again in recent years. He was just as nice as ever. I later moved to SC and now am in Virginia, but I never forgot Warren. What a loss to the community and to his family.
Rick/Steve/Jay- I’m very sorry for the loss of your Dad. Mitch was a great influence for me, my career and my life in general. I considered him a mentor and great friend, one that I will never forget. I’ll always remember the first rental property I purchased, I was 23 and wasn’t sure how I was going to pull it off. He was the first one I turned to for advice, he even offered to co-sign if I needed it. I always valued his opinion, which I asked for many times over the last 20 years I knew him. Mitch was tremendous, his humor, his thoughtfulness, his charisma–we are all going to miss him. God Bless You Mitch.
Travis Hicks
What a great guy! Our family sends its thoughts and respects!
The Bob Moore Family
What a great guy! Our family sends its thoughts and respects!
The Bob Moore Family
Steve-Rick-Jay: Your dad was a really great guy, I remember he tried to help me a long time ago as far as getting into real estate. Of coures, I did not listen, but was always very appreciative to him for the attempt. My thoughts are with you. -Ed Schrader
My grandfather William(Bill) Hudson worked with Warren for several years. I remember many of days going with my grandfather to work on the weekends and seeing Warren at the office and he always had a smile on his face when we walked in. I remember him and my grandfather joking around and giving each other a hard time as they worked long and hard. My family and I would like to send our condolences for your loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family. Just know that Warren will always be remembered. He always reached out to others in their time of need and he will always be remembered.
Sincerely,
Cori Baker @ Family
My wife and I are currently out of state and were saddend to learn that Warren had died. He was a good man and was so much help to me when I was first getting started in real estate and construction. We will certainly miss him. Dick and Janice Edmondson