Obituary of Warren Mitchell

Warren Wayne Mitchell, known as “Mitch” to most of his friends passed away quietly in his Aurora home on Friday, November 14, 2014. He was born March 1, 1926 in Davis Creek, Nebraska. He attended West High School in Denver, Colorado where he began his lifelong passion for sports by competing in football and track. After graduating early, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 and served for two years. Taking advantage of the GI Bill he enrolled in Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, CO. He played freshman football and ran track. It was then that he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of high school coaching and teaching. He graduated from college in 1951. His first job was in Eads, CO. where he taught science and coached basketball and baseball during the 1952-1953 school year. Even though he was at Eads for only one year, he made such an impression on his students that many stayed in touch with him for 50 years. Mitch then took a teaching and coaching job at Limon High School in 1953, which continued for 57 years. During that time he achieved 17 state championships in track, basketball, and football. In recognition for his devotion to high school sports, Mitch is a member of the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Colorado Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, National Federation of High School Associations Hall of Fame, and was just recently inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. In 1955, Mitch met the love of his life and married Dolores Allende on Christmas Eve, 1955. From this marriage came five children, Loretta, Thomas, Carol, John, and William. Mitch and Dolores were married for 32 years. They enjoyed following their beloved Broncos and traveling around the country attending coaches conferences. They were both active in the United Methodist Church in Limon. Dolores passed away suddenly in 1987 and Mitch never remarried. Mitch was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his daughter Loretta (Stephen), son Thomas (Dawn), daughter Carol (Jim), son John (Sandy), and son William (Linda). He also is survived by 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.