Earl Mitchell

1929 - 2015

Earl Douglas Mitchell
1929-2015
Dr. Earl Douglas Mitchell passed away peacefully on May 7, 2015. A natural-born wit, if a little eccentric, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Douglas was born in Owasso, Oklahoma on October 15, 1929. His family moved to Houston when he was a teenager, and he later attended Baylor University studying Linguistics. As a Rhodes Scholar, he earned his PhD in Germanic Studies in Oslo, Norway.
Douglas was a popular professor mainly at the University of St. Thomas and Rice University where he taught Ancient History, Philosophy, and languages including Greek, Latin, German and Sanskrit. When not teaching, he explored Europe assisting the De Menils in building their antiquities collection. He loved his students, good food, his cats and the arts. He spent many years mentoring young scholars. Every maitre'd in every fine Houston restaurant knew him well. At home, visitors would find him surrounded by his cats, engrossed in a book or listening to opera. He served on the boards of each performing arts organization in Houston during the 70's and 80's. In later years, he wrote a collection of one-act plays which were produced in Houston, Galveston and Amsterdam.
Known affectionately as "Dougie", he is survived by his sister, Jo Rita Kaltwasser, and her husband, Loy Dell, his like-an adopted son, Shahin Salehoun, his nieces Deborah Majzoub and Cynthia Lappe, great-nephew Adam Majzoub, great-nieces Shazia Lightsey, Nadia, Lisa and Miriam Majzoub, and four great-great nieces and nephews. Douglas was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores Wittington Mitchell, lifelong friend, Richard Palmer, his parents, Earl and Mildred Mitchell, his niece, Judith Watson, and many friends.
A graveside service conducted by Rev. James Berggren will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2015, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.