New Orleans native, Robert Kent Mitchell died peacefully Saturday, May 7, one day before his 82nd birthday. Kent was born May 8, 1934, at Touro Infirmary to Robert and Dean Kent Mitchell. He grew up in Jefferson Parish, graduating from Newman School in 1950. He received a BA in History in 1954 from Davidson College in North Carolina.
After graduation, he served in the Transportation Corps at Fort Sill Oklahoma for 2 years, completing his stint as a 1st Lieutenant. Kent then completed his military service in the Louisiana National Guard, in 141st Field Artillery Battalion, retiring as a major.
With his father, Bob, he operated Louisiana Transit Company, serving as General Manager and then President. Kent had many and varied interests, and served the Greater New Orleans community well through the years. He was the Treasurer of WYES, was on the board of NBC in Jefferson Parish, The Red Cross, and The Boys and Girls Club. He was on the Board of Directors of STAIR from 1998 to 2006, service twice as president in 2002 and 2004.
He was active in The American Legion, VOA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and ACME. Kent was a member of the St Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church where he served on the Session. He belonged to The Stratford Club serving as King of Mithras one year, several Carnival organizations, and the Civil War Round Table.
He was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, the New Orleans Opera Association, and The New Orleans Symphony. He was an early and active supporter of the World War II Museum. He was a dedicated and vocal LSU fan. Kent was a kind, intelligent, witty man. His love of and loyalty to his family, his city, his church, his country and his many friends will serve as his legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Alton Mitchell and Dean Kent Mitchell, his brother, Sherwood Anderson (Pete) Mitchell, and his first wife Jean Wilson Mitchell.
He is survived by his second wife, Elizabeth Denton Mitchell, two sons John Wilson Mitchell, Paul Allen Mitchell and wife Fonda; 3 grandchildren, John Paul, Sarah Jean, and Jacob Mitchell; sister-in-law Evelyn Mitchell Contois, nephew Robert Austin Mitchell and wife Susan; niece Anne Mitchell Souvignier and great nieces and nephews Robert, Margaret and Richard Mitchell, and Clara and Alex Souvignier. He is also survived by cousins, HP Forbes of Hammond, and Mary Virginia Thomas and Helen Dean Lawlis of Baton Rouge.
The services will be at 2 pm at Saint Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 12, 2016 with a reception following. Visitation begins at 1 pm.
The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be sent to STAIR, 1545 State St., 70118; the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 1010 Common St #2120, 70112; or The New Orleans Opera Association, 616 Girod St. Suite 200, 70130.
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