David A. Mitchell

David “Dave” A. Mitchell passed away at the age of 85, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence, Kansas on Thursday, December 11, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born on September 19, 1940, in Tribune, Kansas. He was the son of William Arthur Mitchell and Edna Sophronia (Colby) Mitchell. 

David was the fourth child of nine children. David grew up in Tribune, KS and graduated from Tribune High School in 1958. Shortly after meeting his future wife Joyce Evarts. He went to visit his grandparents in Beloit, Kansas and for him it was love a first sight. He met Joyce and gave her his class ring the first day they met. Revisiting Beloit in 1961 the relationship rekindled and they married shortly after on January 27, 1962. They shared just shy of 63 years of marriage. 

David and Joyce had 3 children; Michael, Cindy and Jeffrey. 

David after high school worked as a ranch hand in Tribune, Kansas, before moving to Clyde, Kansas. In Clyde, he worked hauling milk cans and cream cans for a short time before moving on to Beloit, Kansas. There he worked at RC Cola and painted businesses interiorly. After a few years, the family moved to Hutchinson, Kansas where David built mobile homes and worked for the repair team traveling over several states. After several years, the family settled in Lawrence, Kansas. David worked there at Webster Mobile Homes as a service technician for over 30 years. Upon retiring, David worked a semi retired job at USGS, as a janitor and did several lawn care jobs on the side. 

David also enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. He loved his sports; including watching KU Basketball, Royals, and Chiefs. He at one time ushered KU sporting events. He also, was a member of the Merry Mixers & Barn Dancers Square Dancing. While his children grew up he was a Scout leader and baseball coach. But most of all he loved his family and helping with the next ‘project’. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Joseph “Joe” Mitchell, Bernard James “BJ” Mitchell, William “Pug” Mitchell, and two sisters; Rosie Cross and Carol Fultz. 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Mitchell of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Cindy (& husband Tracy) Newell, Joplin, MO; two sons, Master Sergeant Michael (& wife Martha) Mitchell, Milo, MO, Jeffrey (& wife Alyson) Mitchell, Lawrence, KS; three sisters, Lucille (& husband Roger) Bitner, Marion, KS, Kathy Slover, Wichita, KS, Connie Hayes, Almo, TX; four grandchildren; Elizabeth, Victoria, Alexandria, and Kara; two great grandchildren, Lillian and Arlo. 

Services for David A. Mitchell, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service.