Gerald E Mitchell

Western Kansas lost a native son who had a profound effect on the lives of thousands of students and others with whom he had contact when Gerald Mitchell died on Saturday June 30, 2012.



Gerald Eugene Mitchell was born on January 30, 1945, in Osborne, Kansas, to Lyle and Helen Orr Mitchell. He attended school in Covert and Osborne and graduated from Osborne High School in 1963. Mitchell received a bachelor's degree from Washburn University from in 1967. After attending one year of law school at Washburn, he moved to Hays, where he completed his teaching block at Fort Hays State University.



In 1968, Mitchell joined the United States Army Reserve in which he served for six years. That same year, he began his 29 year teaching and coaching career in Gorham High School. In 1974, he began teaching and coaching at Plainville High School, where he worked until 1978. He then transferred to Hays High School where he taught history and economics until 2005. While at Hays High School, Mitchell also was the head girls' basketball coach and assistant track coach, along with various other coaching assignments.



Mitchell was one of the most successful girls' basketball coaches in Kansas high school athletics, accumulating more than 300 career victories. He also was an extremely successful high jump coach, taking his athletes, both boys and girls, to the Kansas State Track and Field meet for 17 consecutive years. He was the recipient of the Hays High Alumni Distinguished Service Award and the KBCA Junior High Girls' Coach of the Year award. He was a member of the Kansas Coaches Association, the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and the Kansas National Educators Association.



Mitchell also was a farmer and stockman in Osborne County near Covert. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and the American Angus Association.



As a hobby, Mitchell enjoyed golf, travel and researching his great-grandfather's Civil War service.



Mitchell is survived by his wife, Kathryn Eilts Mitchell, who he married on August 4, 1978. He is also survived by his son, David and wife, Amy, of Chicago, Illinois, and his son, Phillip and wife, Lauren, of Lawrence, Kansas, and their daughter, Olive. He also is survived by a sister, Marvel Castor of Russell. Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Doyle.



Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Westview Church, 3000 W. 41st, Hays. Family will be present to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in Osborne City Cemetery.



Brock's North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601, is in charge of arrangements.



Memorials are suggested to Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute of Hays or the V Foundation for Cancer Research in care of the funeral home.











Service Information









Visitation Monday

July 2, 2012

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Westview Church

3000 W. 41st street

Hays, ks 67601









Memorial Service Tuesday

July 3, 2012

3:00 PM

Westview Church

3000 W. 41st street

Hays, ks 67601