Jim Mitchell

1933 - 2023

Jim Mitchell
April 4, 1933 - September 3, 2023
Kansas City, Missouri - Jim Mitchell of Kansas City, MO, died at age 90 in hospice care on Sept. 3, 2023, ending his valiant battle with Parkinson's disease. Jim was born April 4, 1933, in Huntington County, IN, to Arthur and Fern (Lahr) Mitchell. He grew up on a small farm with five siblings and stood out as a leader in his church and at Union Township High School. He left farm life behind as he headed off to Huntington College, later transferring to Olivet Nazarene University, where he graduated in 1956.
Jim had a long and varied professional career. After earning his degree in theology from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, he became an ordained Methodist minister serving a congregation in Independence, MO, for a decade, after which he worked for a few years at Human Resources Corporation helping disadvantaged families in the area. Later, as a professional speaker, he created a nationally known one-man performance portraying Abraham Lincoln in venues throughout North America. In his last chapter, his artistry shone at Acme Sign Inc. as an accomplished graphic artist and sign painter, a skill he developed as a teenager painting mailboxes.
Jim consistently served others by contributing his time, talents and skills to family, friends, organizations and community. In 2018, Jim was named one of "70 over 70" Kansas City residents recognized by Shepherd's Center of KC Central for "inspiring others and improving our community." A member of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church for 50-plus years, he preached sermons and conducted weddings and memorial services on numerous occasions, while he also served as a member of the board of trustees and various committees in his role as a key congregational leader. He was an avid civil rights advocate and activist, taking his young daughter with him to march in Memphis and other places during that era.
For 27 consecutive years, Jim was invited by Kansas City University (KCU) to address the medical students, staff and families of gift-body donors to memorialize those whose bodies were donated to the anatomy program, to honor their families and to inspire the students who were learning from those donations. His humorous and heart-felt presentation regularly garnered a standing ovation and persuaded many to join the donor program. In fact, that is where he donated his own body, as well as that of Mildred, his late wife of 55 years.
Jim was an inspiration in so many ways. He personally cared for Mildred through her 10-year struggle with Alzheimer's, never leaving her side. He helped his daughter, Pamm, to care for her various animals by hauling hay and feeding horses, among many tasks. He led an active, vital life, not allowing Parkinson's disease to diminish his life or his outlook. He chose a diet and exercise regimen rather than medication and was the oldest and most fit member of his boxing class. At 80 he met new church member Diane Salucci, who would become the second and final love of his life. Their love story and decade-long relationship are proof than no one is ever "too old." Jim experienced the full range of life's ups and downs and remained optimistic, upbeat, active, creative, curious and open to life until the end.
He is survived by his beloved life partner, Diane Salucci; daughter, Pamm Payne; grandson, Jonathan Payne (Ashley); great-grandchildren, Jake (Tara), Makenzie and Becker Payne; brother, Bob Mitchell; sisters Mary Snowden and Jane Vickery (Don), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his late wife, Mildred; a brother, Bill Mitchell, and a sister, Linda Geist, as well as brother-in-law Ned Snowden and sister-in-law Thelma Mitchell. A memorial and celebration-of-life service is set for 11 a.m., Sept. 30, at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO. The event will be live-streamed on the church's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@AllSoulsUUChurchKC). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care (https://www.kchospice.org).