Jim Mitchell

Jim Mitchell of Kansas City, MO, died at age 90 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, where he led the basketball team to sectional finals. 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 in Independence, MO. 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 as an accomplished graphic artist and sign painter, a career he had started as a teenager painting mailboxes and barn signs.

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, while serving as a member of the board of trustees and various committees in his role as a key congregational leader. He was also an avid civil rights advocate and activist.

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 as he personally cared for Mildred through her 10-year struggle with Alzheimer's. He continued an active, vital life even while dealing with his own Parkinson's disease. At 80 he met new church member Diane Salucci, who would become the second and final love of his life. Jim experienced the full range of life's ups and downs and remained optimistic, upbeat, engaged, 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, and will be streamed on the church's YouTube channel.