John Keith Mr. Mitchell

Born in 1930, John Keith Mitchell died peacefully after 89 years on this earth. He did plan to mark his 90th year with a celebration, but God called out to him, reuniting him with the love of his life, Dolores McCarrick Mitchell, who departed just a year earlier. A caring man with a sweet smile, sparkling blue eyes, and curly red hair that prematurely grayed, earning him the CB handle "Gray Ghost", he led a full life, devoted to family, friends, faith and community.

He met Dolores at UT Austin where he majored in chemical engineering, and less than 2 years later, they were married, just before he departed for the Korean War where he flew Army Air Corp cargo planes for 2 years. Over the next decade, they grew their family, being blessed with six children. He was a local native, living his life in the city he loved, San Antonio, except for a brief stint in Houston where he started, built and sold a successful oil industry company.

One of his passions in life was the camaraderie he found at his hunting lease, which forged friendships that lasted until his death. He tried his hand twice in the cattle business but enjoyed the ranch life more than the business itself. He also cherished his summer vacations to different places, from the shores of Lakes McQueeny and Conroe, to the coasts in Rockport and Carmel and the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. While he couldn't keep a boat afloat to save his life and never mastered the art of golf, he loved having friends and family visit him and Dolores during those retreats from the Texas summer heat.

Survivors include his daughters, Kathleen Mitchell Hawkins (John Hawkins), Anne Marie Mitchell (Gorman), Paula Mitchell Welder (Amos Welder), and Nancy Leigh Mitchell; twelve grandchildren, Justin Hawkins, Ramona Welder Seemann, Ashley Hawkins Henry, Hunter Hawkins, Cuatro Welder, Chase Gorman, Megan Mitchell, Ben Welder, Madelaine Gorman King, Daniel Mitchell, and Melissa Mitchell Carr; eleven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gloria Massey; as well as many nieces and nephews were among his beloved family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dolores McCarrick Mitchell; parents, Fletcher and Nettie Mae Mitchell; sisters, Mary Martin and Dorothy Bryant; sons, Blake Stephen and Michael Sean; and grandchildren, Sean Keith Mitchell and Tara Kathleen Mitchell.

A beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, we will all miss his sly sense of humor, art of listening, and gentle manner. There will be a hole in our hearts but a smile on our face in our remembrances of him.

We would like to thank all his caregivers for their tender, loving care: Guadalupe Blackard, as well as the SisterCare staff of The Village at Incarnate Word. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The United Way of San Antonio in his honor.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of life for John will be held at a later date.