Donald Leonard Mitchell

Donald Leonard Mitchell, was a member of "the greatest generation", a WWII post occupation Veteran, a successful business man, a fastidious, frugal and disciplined gentleman. The type of gentleman whose level of respect for all whom he encountered was remarkable. The type of gentleman who never made a public appearance without wearing a hat.

Don was born in Burlington, KS. He graduated from Wichita East High School and then attended the General Motors Institute in Detroit, MI. Upon graduation Don joined his family in Iola, KS where he worked at his father's GM dealership selling Cadillac and Chevrolet automobiles. Don learned the skill set required to run small businesses and soon ventured out to own several businesses including a Sinclair Oil service station in Colorado Springs and a GM Chevrolet car dealership in Coldwater, KS. In addition, Don independently researched and studied finance and economics as a hobby. He became a prolific student of investing and for a short stint, he fulfilled a long time goal working as a stock broker in Pueblo, Colorado. When Don's father died in 1990, Don returned to his parent's home in Colorado Springs and dedicated his time to take care of his mother.

Don's last 19 months were spent in the comfort of The Residence Inn at Skyway Park under the management of Rich Larson. Don called The Residence his home, the greatest compliment he could offer to the staff and the facility. Also providing amazing comfort and grace, as he left this world and merged into the next, was Encompass Hospice Care and Griswold Homecare. We offer our gratitude and compliments to these three organizations who preserved Don's dignity and recognized his value.

Don is preceded in death by his father and mother, Samuel Leonard and Martha Alice (Miller) Mitchell. He is survived by his sister, Merry Lou Belden, his niece Nancy (Tracy) Drosselmeyer, his nephew Greg Belden, his grand-nieces Alyssa (Braden) Louia, and Erin (Tramaine Thompson) Drosselmeyer and great-grandniece Aria and his adopted family, the family of Jan Brickell.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Should you feel inclined, please donate in honor of Don to your charity of choice or to the Colorado Springs Senior Center located at 1514 North Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

See Cappadona.com for greater details.