Emmett Edwin Mitchell
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Emmett Mitchell passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at home. Emmett was born on April 26th 1936 in Sherman Texas, the son of Emmett and Pauline (Dutton) Mitchell. He attended Southmayd school and Sherman High School. His college years were spent at Texas A&M where he was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Academic Society and Austin College where he earned his bachelor of science degree and was a member of the Beta Chi Omega Service Fraternity.
He worked for Quaker Oats in quality control for more than 23 years and retired from Hills Pet Nutrition after 19 years. He was an accomplished food and nutrition scientist, earning the Quaker Oats Co. Chairman’s Award for Excellence in 1979 and 1980. He has served as President of the Lawrence Optimist club, earning recognition with an Outstanding Service Award.
He married his high school sweetheart Carole June Van Hooser on June 13th, 1957. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of 2017 at a resort in Northern Wisconsin attended by all family members.
Survivors include sons Bob (Julie), Chippewa Falls, WI; Andrew, Lecompton, KS; daughter Susan (Garry) Brownlee, Mulvane, KS; Grandchildren Matthew, Rebecca, Joshua and Sally, great-grandchild Adelaide. Brothers Everett (Pat), Sherman, TX; Harold. He is preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Pauline (Dutton) Mitchell and sister-in-law Carole Sue (Franklin) Mitchell.
Memorial contributions may be sent in his name to Lawrence Breakfast Club and may be sent in care of Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
A visitation and service will be held at Lawrence First United Methodist Church (downtown campus), Lawrence, KS with a graveside service and internment at Friendship Methodist Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. Warren McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, KS will handle funeral arrangements.
Funeral services in Lawrence will be on Thursday, July 20, 2017 with visitation at 2:00 p.m. and funeral services commencing at 3:00 p.m. Graveside services at Friendship Methodist Cemetery on Saturday, July 22nd at 9:00 a.m.
Oh Carol I am so sorry. I saw you guys at church Sunday morning! Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Maggie Fieger
I was so sad to hear of Emmett’s passing. I met him through my dad, Bill Pendleton, who was a fellow longtime Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club member. I attended many 7 a.m. Optimist meetings over the years and always enjoyed Emmett’s good looks, cheerfulness, and welcoming attitude. He helped transport the Optimist Christmas tree lot supplies from my dad’s barn, where they were stored year-round. After my dad became ill and had to leave his farm home forever, Emmett visited him at Brandon Woods and then Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living. I took several photos of Emmett, as he always obliged me the favor. I hear that he went to church the morning of the day that he died. Going from church into the actual presence of his beloved Lord Jesus Christ is the absolute best way to go! May the Lord comfort Emmett’s wife, son, and other family and friends. It was truly an honor to know him.
Carole June, I am so sorry. Emmett was a wonderful man and will be missed by all. I hope your memories of your 60 years together and the love of your special family help you at this time. He is with our Lord and David will be there to greet him.
Carole, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I met Emmett when I joined the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club, in 2004, I believe. From the very beginning of my Optimist membership Emmett has been that person who NEVER missed saying Hello when I was able to make it to meetings or anywhere we happened to be…Tree Lot, New York School…I always knew Emmett would be there. And he would always be cheerful and upbeat. But, there is a reason I am especially thankful for him…he was a person who did kindnesses, and got others to help him, but never let other people even know he had done these kindnesses. It’s hard to explain but there are a LOT of kind people out there and then there are also people who do kindnesses and never want people to know they did them. A lot of the time it is because they are sensitive to other’s feelings and want to avoid embarrassment. I just want to share that Emmett was one of those people too. He was kind, SO generous, and good. Oh, how he will be missed! Good thing though, for Heaven got an extra special Angel on Sunday! Keep an eye on us, Emmett! We are going to continue these things you love!
Carole, Allen and I are sorry to learn that Emmett passed away. It must have been special to marry your high school sweetheart, and to stay married for sixty years!
Carole, I am so very sorry. It must be a double blow of shock plus grief. Please know you have great support from your friends. I so enjoyed my exchanges with Emmett in the Sunday School class. He kept me on my toes! Please ask for anything you need.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how it is to lose a spouse; you are never ready for this to happen to you. May the Lord bless you and keep you through this difficult time.
Stan has good memories of his time working with Emmett at Hills and we especially enjoyed the social events with Carol. We are so sad to hear of his passing and extend our sympathy to the whole family. We also loved the pictures of your family get togethers and trips you took. Carol, we should have gotten together again. We never know at this stage of life what the next day will bring. It has been a pleasure knowing your family. We have good memories, as I know you do. Our love to you.
God bless Emmett’s family and friends with peace and comfort.
“Place me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm,
For love is as strong as death is,
And exclusive devotion is as
Unyielding as the grave.
Its flames (love) are a blazing fire,
The Flame of Jah. (1 John 4:8)
Surging waters cannot extinguish love,
Nor can rivers wash it away.”
Song of Solomon 8:6,7
Carol and family: we are sorry for your loss. It has been a long time since you lived out by us near Baldwin. We always thought a lot of Emmit and you. You were great people. We know longer live there. A lot of good memories.
Carole & Family,
So sorry for your loss of Emmett. Please find comfort in knowing that he was loved by so many people. I, too, met Emmett through the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club & he was my Senior mentor: one to guide you, help you & to emulate. He was SO giving. I always loved his Southern accent & storylines. He has touched so many lives!
Carole: I send my love and prayers to you and your family. I remember well the significant part you and Emmett had in the church while I was pastor.
Grace & peace, Virgil
So sorry to hear of Emmett passing away! He and my husband, Ed, worked together at Quaker Oats for many years. Thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time!
Mary Lou and Ed Almanza ( Lawrence, KS.)
Carol, we are so sorry to hear of Emmett’s passing. We considered him a very good friend. We always had a good visit when you guys came to Texas for our reunions. Our sympathy to you and all of your loved ones.
I had visits from Emmett when I started out in the laboratory with Ken-L Ration division at Quaker in Marion OH.
We are blessed to have known him ….and worked with him.