Donald M. Mitchell, passed away at the East Morgan County Hospital on March 29, 2017, following a brief illness. He had spent almost all of his 94 years living in Brush. Born on January 13, 1923, at home on Custer Street to Laura Elizabeth (Resch) and Merle M. Mitchell, he attended Brush Schools. He had many adventures and hobbies, including Boy Scouts with Walt Daniels as Scout Leader. On one occasion, the troupe of about 15 rode their bicycles from Brush to Denver to invite then Governor Carr to the Brush Rodeo. He also put together a large stamp collection from 1950-2000.

Don graduated from Brush High in 1941, and attended the University of Colorado, earning a degree in engineering in 1944. While in Boulder, he met the late Kathryn Reed, a Boulder resident and fellow student. They married in Long Beach, CA, shortly before Don, then in the Navy, shipped out to the Pacific for World War II. In the ending days of the war, his mine sweeper was sunk during a typhoon and he spent two days at sea before being rescued by the Navy.

After the war, and a short stint working as an electrical engineer for GE in Schenectady, NY, Don and Kathryn returned to Brush to raise their family of five children. He was a cattle rancher and farmer primarily, and in the early years partnered in these endeavors with his father. Over the next five decades of his life, Don was active in many community organizations. He managed the Brush Race track and served for over 20 years on the Brush School Board. Don loved to play duplicate bridge, and he organized and participated in many bridge groups in the area. Additionally, he was on the board of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District, the Rural Fire Protection District, and the CU Alumni Association. After retiring, he worked part-time for the Colorado Crop and Livestock Reporting Services (USDA affiliate) for the next two decades. This kept him active and engaged conducting agricultural surveys of all sorts, over northeastern Colorado.

Don enjoyed life, was quick to laugh and was a devoted husband and father. He was inquisitive, active, and always busy with some project. He had an easy-going nature that endeared him to many.

Don is survived by his children, Michael M. Mitchell of Windsor, Elizabeth Jane Wallace of Colorado Springs, Christine and her husband Tom Custer of Brownsville, MN, Donald R. "Pete" Mitchell of Brush, and Andrew W. Mitchell of Denver. Don's grandchildren are Lauren R. Mitchell of Fort Collins, and Jason M. Mitchell and wife Cherie, of Littleton, whose two sons, Mason and Maddox, are Don's great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gene T. Mitchell, and wife Rosa, of Littleton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Please join us in a Celebration of Don's Life at the Course Café at Petteys Park on Saturday, 8 April, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.