Kent Eugene Mitchell, age 91, resident of Zionsville, IN passed away Sunday, Nov 10, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born and raised in Ft Scott, KS graduating from Ft Scott High School in 1952.
Kent did AF ROTC and belonged to the Delta Tau Delta house at Kansas University graduating in 1956. Kent joined the Air Force and flew the F-86 fighter and T-33 Shooting Star. Kent married in 1961 and was a proud father 5 short years later of 3. In 1966 he relocated the family to the highlight of his career at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Here he would enjoy 4 years of tropical paradise. Kent chose Richards-Gabauer AFB in Belton, MO as his last duty assignment. This brought him back to his beloved home state of Kansas.
He would raise his family here, get a job as a Commerce Bank investment banker, and stay in Kansas City for the next 53 years.
Kent had really three all-consuming passions:
Running. He ran 79 marathons, starting at the age of 57, including at least one in every state and all seven continents, including Antarctica. On his 60th birthday, he went to the track at JUCO and ran 60 miles to “celebrate.”
Sports, He was absolutely obsessed with the Kansas Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals. He played a plethora of sports and LOVED to compete.
And lastly family. His last and most important passion was his love and complete devotion to 10 people in his life, his mother Mary Sue, his three children, Sue, Matt and David and six grandchildren Julie, Hannah, Morgan, Audrey, Trevor and Griffin.
Kent was the only child of Ralph (went by Mitch) and Mary Sue Mitchell. Kent was a devout Christian. He is now in heaven with Jesus and His Angels.
He will be terribly and sorely missed by us all.
Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Friday, November 15th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.