Larry K. Mitchell

Captain Mitchell had a challenging beginning, born very small at 3 lbs., 4 oz. in 1947, in one of the worst recorded winters in Maine. He grew up in OKC with his best friend of 66 years, Berry Sessions, who passed in January of 2018; a great loss to Larry. Grade school was memorable, many of you know why, but he turned his life around in the 4th grade thanks to one special teacher that gave him value. He later became quite the athletic young man through high school in wrestling and as the football quarterback. He graduated from Classen High in 1965, along with the "Wild Bunch", a gang of lifelong friends that continue to interact on a regular basis. He attended Oklahoma State University, was a "walk on" to the wrestling team for one year and participated in the ROTC program, graduating in 1969. Volunteering to join the ARMY as 4F, serving his country from 1969-1972. He was stationed in London, where he, his wife Cheryl, and her mother traveled in Europe in his 68 Olds, to see many sights before returning to the U.S. He requested to serve in Vietnam alongside many of his friends; some came home, some did not. The Vietnam tour was challenging, turbulent and life altering to say the least, he was grateful to return home. Upon return to the U.S., he went to work for T&K distributing in collections. He then started his insurance career working 3 or 4 years at The Hartford as an underwriter, this is where he met his lifelong friend Jim Jewel. Monthly "Board" meetings began during this era. Stan Dearduff brought Larry into McEldowney, McWilliams, Dearduff & Journey as an insurance agent. Larry obtained his CPCU & CIC designations and flourished in the insurance industry for over 40 years through many mergers. Mr. Travis Brown persuaded Larry to join him at Rich & Cartmill in 2009, which he stated was the best career choice of his life. Larry was highly regarded as a man of honesty and integrity in the insurance industry. After a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in late 2014, he retired in 2016 to "make the most of the time remaining". Despite the diagnosis, he had a very positive attitude, as he considered it a blessing. This afforded him the opportunity to do the things he wanted to do, spending time with family and friends and travel to many places he had not explored; this blessing not bestowed on people who die in a car wreck or other tragedies. He never regretted the Alzheimer's diagnosis, he embraced it. He was preceded in death by both his parents, Irene & Clifton Mitchell and his best friend in life, Berry Sessions. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanie Mitchell; two sisters, Edie Gregory and Linda Murphy; two sons, Aaron Mitchell & wife Kristin, Brad Mitchell & wife Kara; step children, Tausha Floyd & husband Ryan, and Zac Williams; 8 grandchildren, Reece & Graham Mitchell, Avery, Jake, Nick and Luke Mitchell, Tia & Ashley Bennett as well as many in-laws / out-laws and friends.A special thank you to family and friends for all the love and support through this journey. Thank you to Integris Hospice for their loving care during this time.Larry wants all to know he had NO regrets, he was blessed, lived a full life and all in his own way, or as he would say, "I did it my way."A memorial service to celebrate Larry's life will be held Friday, March 12, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel. With live stream available by clicking the link below.