Oran Mitchell

March 2nd, 1923 - October 24th, 2008

Oran's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Oran here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Oran was a great coach, loving friend, and selfless mentor. I have fond memories of practicing High Jump at his house in South Haven, Michigan. Numerous times, he met me early in the morning at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac to help me practice the High Jump in 1991 & 1992. He did this for no money -- no other reason than the joy of seeing a student-athlete excel.

In 1989, I recall that my high school coach from Paw Paw -- Terry Kannegeiter -- once praised Oran saying "If there are any high jumpers or pole vaulters in Michigan that break records, you can bet they were coached by Oran Mitchell."

I also remember that Oran really liked to drive fast! He hated sitting in a slow-moving car.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord, May The Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him, And May He Rest In Peace. Amen

John Woodruff

March 18th, 2025 at 11:54am

We would just like to offer our sympathy to Mr. Mitchell's family. We had the highest respect for him, and we will always be grateful that he taught our daughter, Lisa, how to pole vault. She was the first female vaulter for South Haven H.S. in 30 years, from 2007-2008.He even donated a pole to the athletic department in exchange for her training through the summer one year. He was a kind, intelligent and caring man. Lisa just adored him.You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Paul & Pat Fitton

Paul & Pat Fitton

I am not able to pay my respects in person, but my prayers are with the Mitchell family. I knew Mr. Mitchell through my dad, who had him as both a teacher and coach in high school, and continued to be a friend. An infectious smile, sense of humour, and heart of gold were part of his daily attire, and he cared so much for everyone he met. I was always amazed at how he never forgot anything I told him, no matter how much time had passed. My brother Eric highly respected him during his years playing sports in high school, as Mr. Mitchell was always available, whether for encouragement, to wrap an injured ankle, to share his wisdom, or to lighten the mood with a joke. Mr. Mitchell, you will be missed.

With great admiration,
Amanda Hutchins (SHHS, Class of 2005)

Amanda Hutchins

I am very saddened to hear of Oran's passing. Words can not express how blessed I have been to have Oran in my life. Without him I would not strive to do all that I have in life. He has been a strengh to me in so many ways. Oran has brought so much to my life through his coaching. I have learn more then just how to pole vault. I have learned life lessons and along the way I found myself. I cant thank Oran and June enough for opening their home and heart to all the pole vaulters out there. I have an extra family because of their willingness to give to others. Oran will forever be in my heart.

Shelly (Martin) Riley

Dear Mitchell family, Mr. Mitchell was my metal shop teacher 1975,76,and77. His method of teaching went beyond what was taught in class. He wanted you to look at where you wanted to be in the future and pursue the challenges to be successful. He taught me how to weld and run a lathe but more importantly to give everything your all, do the best you can do,and to treat others with kindness and respect. Those lessons followed me through my military and law enforcement careers, how I taught my childern and even today on my blueberry farm. He was not only my teacher but a friend. He will be missed. Steve Otto

Steven W. Otto

Mrs. Mitchell and family, Distance and a recent surgery prevented me from attending the services today, but please know that my thoughts are with, and about you. Mr. Mitchell played a large role in my childhood school days as he was my driver education teacher, one of my track coaches, and was a fellow teacher with my father at L. C. Mohr. I fondly remember him helping anybody in any way that he could. He was always positive, and always had a smile the many times we saw each other. Mr. Mitchell will always live on through the memories of the thousands that he so graciously touched. Richard W. Lewis, Jr.

Richard W. Lewis, Jr.

The McGarr family would like to offer our condolences for the Mitchell family. Mr. Mitchell was a great inspiration for our son, Michael. He took Michael under his wing and taught him how to Pole Vault. Michael has gained so much respect and confidence from the kindness that Mr. Mitchell had shown him. He enjoyed the many practices with him at his house and also his support at the track meets. Michael recently submitted an English paper for a "Life Changing" experience and it was actually based on the positive effect Mr. Mitchell has had in his life. We will all miss Mr. Mitchell dearly and are so greateful that Michael had the opportunity to work with him.

Terry & Keri McGarr

Dear June and Family,

I don't know if you will get this message as I was out of state and out of the loop and sadly just found about Oran's passing.  It's strange that I learned about this because I was lying in bed and thinking about those who had a strong impact on my life.
I first met Oran as a sophmore at Flint Carman-Ainsworth HS in the summer of 1988 at Jan Johnson's SKYJUMPERS pole-vault camp at the Univ of Toledo.
As you can see we had the same last name and I was a sponge for Oran's teaching and guidance as I had been coaching myself since the eight grade.
Oran immediately took to helping me every day and by the end of the week I was "most improve vaulter" in the whole camp.  We would meet at indoor meets and jump in South Haven etc all year and the next summer I was "vaulter of the week" at Jan Johnson's camp where I would get to take home my choice of one of Jan Johnson's famed poles from his bag with the red spray paint on it.

It was here Oran took me under his wing and we became teacher/student and friends.  I would drive to South Haven or Southwestern Michigan College 3 hours from Flint nearly every week.  We would meet all over Michigan at indoor and outdoor facilities.  I would go on to set my hs school record multiple times and finish my senior year as MITCA Indoor Champion tied for firs at the Mansfield Mehock Relays.  The vaulters Oran would work with or just hang out with would be some of Michigan's all time great vaulters.  Besides myself I would vault with Oran with guys like Bill Deering, Steve Hall, Bryan Happel, and many many others whom I can't even recall off hand.  My senior season I would lead the state of Michigan most of the year after coming back at the state finals after two weeks and losing fifteen pounds from mono I took a disapointing 5th at the 1990 outdoor finals nearly a foot and a half under my personal record at the time.  I would go on to redshirt my freshman year and vault at Eastern Michigan University where I would train and vault until my college career was stopped in a halt by a horrible car accident over spring break that first year with two of my teammates.

I struggled hard the next several years trying to regain my strength and sense of direction while recovering.  I always grasped to the lessons learned previously when I had spent hours working with Oran on my goals and technique in the vault and in life.  I would transfer with my family that had moved from Michigan to Western Kentucky University where I got a degree and found some sense of athletic family again as the manager of the men's basketball team.  I later moved to San Diego, CA to take my first elementary teaching position where I also coached high school pole vault and voluteered coaching the women at San Diego State University.  While here I trained and began jumping myself again setting my new personal records.  I would later become a longtime teacher and coach in Detroit Public Schools.

The memories of time spent with Oran translated into a clone of him just like our last names.  It's funny how life and god have a path for you.  I never knew I would end up becoming a teacher.  But I'm sure that it was in Oran's master plan for me as he always knew that I possessed the same passion and desire to help others.  Though my pole vault career in college ended abruptly and was one of the most difficult times of my life.  I look back and see how my time with Oran and the lessons learned would mold me no matter what had happened.  Unfortunately after the accident and leaving school I lost touch with Oran all of these years.  Many people did not know how close the two of us really were like father and son with the same last name.  I so wish that I would have gotten back in touch with Oran but I have in my thoughts and wanted to share his love and generosity with his family that helped me learn the lessons of life when things don't go as you plan.