John Charles Mitchell

MITCHELL, John Charles December 17, 1924 – February 28, 2014 John Charles Mitchell, the son of Charles Peter Mitchell (Mitsopoulos) and Athena C. Mitchell (Kapotas) was born December 17, 1924, in Kearney, Nebraska. He died on Friday, February 28, 2014, in Longboat Key, Florida, at the age of 89. John grew up in Kearney where he graduated “cum laude” from Kearney State Teachers College in 1947. During the war, he served as a “Dollar a Year Man” selling government bonds to raise money for the war effort. He received his J.D. degree with honors from Georgetown Law School in 1950 where he was the first sophomore to win the All-School Moot Court Competition and served as editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. It was in Washington, D.C., that he became interested in politics. He was united in marriage with Mary J. Kafasis on August 14, 1951, in Buffalo, New York, and returned to Kearney where John practiced law. In 1968, they moved to Omaha where he continued to practice law until 2001. In his early years of practice, he served as General Council and Parliamentarian of the U.S. Jaycees. He served on the original Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Standardized Jury Instruction and Practice and Procedures. John was instrumental in the development of the Democratic Party in Nebraska and served as its Chairman from 1964 to 1972. He helped organize and was elected the first President of the National Association of Democratic State Chairmen. John was a news and sportscaster at KGFW radio in Kearney while in college. This launched a career in Broadcasting with the purchase of KGFW radio in 1953. He then acquired KRCB in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1973. Over the years, he grew Mitchell Broadcasting Corporation to include KQKQ, KKAR, KOIL, and KGDE in Omaha; KGFW, KQKY, and KRNY in Kearney; KXNP and KODY in North Platte; KUVR and KMTY in Holdrege; KLIQ in Hastings; and KHUB and KFMY in Fremont. In 1996, he was inducted into the Nebraska Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. The University of Nebraska Department of Journalism and the Nebraska Broadcaster’s Association awarded him the Pioneer Award in 2013 for leadership and education in broadcast journalism. He had many other interests and activities. With partners, he opened two restaurants, Le Versailles and The Golden Apple, he was founder and Chairman of the Board of Fort Calhoun State Bank, partners with wife, Mary, in Mitchell and Young Advertising Agency, member of the Nebraska Educational Lands and Funds Board, member of the Omaha Airport Authority Board, assisted in opening The Great Platte River Road Archway, member of the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the Orthodox organization Leadership 100, past President of St. John’s Orthodox Church, and member of All Holy Spirit Orthodox Church. Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Peter and Nick Mitchell, sister Helen Logothetis. He is survived by his wife, Mary J. Mitchell; son, John Charles Mitchell II, M.D., and his wife, Kathleen Mitchell, M.D.; grandchildren, John Bernard Mitchell and Emily Suzanne Mitchell; brother George Mitchell and numerous nephews and nieces. John loved to be with friends, enjoyed life to the fullest, and was committed to giving back to his community. He and Mary retired to Longboat Key, Florida, in 2001 where he has cherished beautiful sunsets and wonderful new friends. He was a proud, patriotic son of Greek immigrant parents and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by many. VISITATION will be held from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at West Center Chapel with a MEMORIAL SERVICE at 8pm. FUNERAL SERVICE will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church at 9012 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to Omaha Community Foundation.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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