John Cary Mitchell
January 15, 1955 ~ February 1, 2025
John Cary Mitchell, 70, died Saturday, February 1, 2025.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 6, 2025; Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am, Friday, February 7, 2025, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 pm at Hope Cemetery, Arkansas City, KS.
John was born January 15, 1955 in Wichita, KS. He grew up in Wichita and attended Wichita Southeast High School. While in high school he played in the band and was a member of the Continental Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps. He married his high school sweetheart on January 31, 1976. He joined the Air Force and served 10 years and was stationed in Cheyenne, WY as a Missile Facilities Specialist. After leaving the Air Force he attended Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne and obtained his Associate Degree in Airplane and Power Plants. Following graduation, he obtained a job with Boeing and Spirit where he worked 40 years until he retired. During that time, he obtained 3 more Associate degrees. John had many interests which included playing the Bagpipes, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, and fishing later in life. The last 17 years of his life he fought cancer.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John Harvey and Vera Bernice Mitchell; sister, Karen Lee Baker; aunt and uncle, Leo Elvin and Patricia Earlene Cary.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Sayler Mitchell; children, John Dean (Amber) Mitchell, Deanna Mitchell (Anthony) Gaudiello; grandchildren, Forest, Kayla, Aaron, and Leland; nephew, Glen Allen (Dawn) Baker, Jr. of Buchanan, MI; cousin, Linda (Larry) States of Everett, WA and Roger Cary of Augusta, KS.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Cary loved his wife, family and his friends passionately. I so enjoyed catching up at all of the Southeast High School class of 1974 reunion events. When I did not get the chance to visit much with Cary and Michelle at the 50th I made a point to get together and was blessed to run into Michelle at the hospital. Having several long visits with Cary there and at his home was awesome to get reacquainted and learn of his life and accomplishments. His pride over his accomplishments and especially his children whom he loves so very much. I love him for taking such good care of my friend Michelle for their 49 year marriage. He will be well remembered and dearly missed.
Sheri Dawn (Rosile) Proctor
A tree to grow strong and proud in your honor and memory for my friend John Cary Mitchell,
Rest in peace my brotha. Many years of working together and never a dull moment. From the Skunk oil on your Hiboy desk on the A6 program to the flashlight you had named Bubba. Raise some hell upstairs. Ed Ledwich
Cary was always fun to be around. I Worked with Michelle, his wife. I remember him having us over for BBQ one 4th of July.
The world is missing a great man. He was the best father any young man could ask for. He was rock, and always in my corner. If I ever needed help or support for anything,he was there to do what he could. To everyone he has touched with his Love, God bless. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I LOVE YOU DAD
I am so thankful to have been able to know him and have in my life as a father in law. He was the most amazing man in the world he was kind and full of life and he knew how to keep a smile on your face. He would help anyone he could in anyway that he could. If it was not for this man right here I would not have learned how to be the strong independent woman that I am today and I wouldn’t be where I am in life without his help. I will forever be grateful for you Dad you are the most amazing man that I knew in this world I love you and I will miss you everyday dearly. Love you always.Amber
For my sweet spirit brother Cary, whose unique brand of love permeates everything he touched, including the hearts and souls of all who knew him.
He was the best uncle anyone could ask for raise two awesome kids that I am proud to call my cousins. He was a killer of our family. He will truly be missed. Where is at I hope he’s enjoying a cigar and fishing. You will always be in my heart love Butch
My Uncle Cary was an amazing man. My Grandma Baker (his sister) loved him with her whole heart. I know they’re both up there with (Great) Grandma Nadine and (Great) Grandpa John. You are sooo loved and so missed already. (And my dad -Butch- meant Pilar, not killer) so sorry about that.
I’ve just learned of the death of Cary. I’m sitting here trying to recall when I first knew Cary – we went through Fabrique Elementary, Curtis & Southeast together, as well as Sunday School. While Michelle didn’t go to Fabrique with us we attended the same church, First Methodist. I have nothing but very good memories of Cary. My memories of Cary – he was kind young boy, I don’t recall him ever saying a mean thing about anyone or to anyone. He had a quick smile. I’m so glad that he & Michelle had such a great life together, they were a perfect match. Kim Nagel Brace
Only Jesus is greater than you.