John "Jack" Peter Mitchell

John Peter (Jack) Mitchell was born on October 27, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts, and died on December 28, 2021, in Raymore, Missouri. Jack’s family moved from the Boston area to Kansas City in 1945. He graduated from DeLaSalle High School in 1952 and joined the United States Coast Guard in July, 1953. Jack married Carolyn Sue Whittle on June 21, 1958, in Raytown, Missouri, and they were married for 55 years. The Mitchells lived for a brief time in New York before Jack was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in January, 1959, and they returned to Kansas City to raise a family.

Jack worked at the Western Electric (later AT & T) plant in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, for over 30 years, holding a variety of jobs in the production lines and the safety and loss prevention departments. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Jack and his family were one of the first to join St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church. He helped to operate a Sunday Continental Breakfast that ran for many years. He volunteered for many fund raising efforts at St. Regis, including Christmas tree sales and working booths at ice cream socials. In his later years, Jack joined the Knights of Columbus Council 13671 at St. Regis, and at his death was a 4th Degree Knight. He remained a member of St. Regis the rest of his life.

Jack also volunteered at Archbishop O’Hara High School, participating in various projects to improve the athletic field and the gymnasium.

Jack genuinely loved to fish. He routinely took fishing trips with his father and brothers at Roaring River and other locations, and then taught his sons the skills he had mastered over the years.

Jack also loved cars. He loved driving cars. And he enjoyed working on cars. For many years he was a shady tree mechanic, fixing cars for family and friends, adamantly refusing to let a balky carburetor or leaky transmission seal escape detection and repair.

Jack loved watching his family members compete in sports. He was a devoted Chiefs and Royals fan, staying with the teams in bad times and reveling in their championship seasons.

Jack’s fast wit and ready smile were well known to many. He wasn’t above spontaneously launching into song from time to time, even if he didn’t know all the words, and his tastes ran to big band and instrumental jazz music. And if Jack didn’t have a football or baseball game on television, he’d be watching a western, a good comedy, a classic monster movie or a police crime drama.

As the years passed, Jack developed ailments and maladies, some persistent, some painful, some debilitating. He never lapsed into self-pity or despair, only the occasional frustration with a failing or lost ability or skill. He tried to do as much as he could, for as long as he could.

Above all, Jack loved his family and his friends. And they loved him too.Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Mitchell and Margaret Mitchell, his wife, and his brother, James E. Mitchell. He is survived by his brother Harry Mitchell; his sons Steven (Anna), Robert (Maureen) and John (Kristen); seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and eleven nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church.

A rosary service for Jack will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 5:15 PM at Our Lady of the Presentation. A visitation will occur Tuesday, January 4, 2022 from 5:15 PM to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. All services at Our Lady of Presentation Catholic Church, 130 NW Murray Rd, Lees Summit, MO 64801.

A committal service will occur Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Mt Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64138.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Mitchell family.