MITCHELL, Harvey John - b. April 9, 1934 - d. November 5, 2021

[patyrn]

Harvey John Mitchell, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Longton, Kansas on November 5, 2021.  Born April 9, 1934, Harvey was adopted by Zubizoe and Russell Mitchell of Tempe, Arizona.  He graduated from Jordan High School in Long Beach, California and went on to attend Community College and the American Banker College from which he graduated.

Harvey was first employed by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Bank Auditor.  He transitioned to private Bank Auditor in downtown Los Angeles and later became Vice-President of Golden State Bank.  In 1973, he moved to Escondido, California to become President and CEO of Escondido National Bank.  He helped many residents start new businesses and funded larger residential and commercial building companies in Escondido.  He served on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles branch for 6 years and was on the building committee for the New Federal Reserve building completed in 1985.

Harvey was a community leader and was President of the Palomar Hospital Foundation, the Presidents Club of Palomar College, the regional and local Boys and Girls Organization, the YMCA, the Community Bankers of California, Ridge Ranch Home Owners Association, and Escondido Charter High School Foundation Board.  He served as a board member of the local Hospice and Escondido Community Clinic fundraising committee.  He held various positions in the Downtown Escondido Rotary Club through his years there and served as a 4-H leader.

Harvey was a founding member of the Escondido Community Foundation and was on the Department of Transportation local committee to build Highway 15 through Escondido.  He assisted in the negotiations to build a new shopping center in Escondido, North County Fair.  In 1985, he collaborated with the local high school to develop the MAP program.  M - Maintain a rigorous course of study with at least a 3.0 GPA.  A - Attend school daily.  P - Participate in school and/or community activities with a minimum of 100 hours.  Students who achieve this in four years will have guaranteed college admission to California State University in San Marcos.

As CEO of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce from 2003 to 2012, Harvey built a new Escondido Chamber of Commerce building, raising $400,000 with members and businesses.  He developed and published the Escondido magazine and organized ongoing bi-annaul street fairs and "mixers" throughout the year.  Harvey has received numerous proclamations and recognitions from State Representative, Senators, and Mayors and even had a Harvey Mitchell Day in Escondido.

Harvey had a strong belief in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  He was a member of the Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, California and attended the Christian Community Church and Longton United Methodist Church, both in Longton, Kansas.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Cathy (Mustoe); half sister, Bobbie Moehn; daughters, Kathy (Rick) Weaver, Lauren (Drew) McCoy, and Morgan Wasem; sons, David Mitchell and Michael Mitchell; grandchildren, Brittney McAlexander, Brett Weaver, Molly McCoy, Greg McCoy, and Russell Wasem; and great-grandson, Benjamin McAlexander.

Graveside services will be held at the Longton Cemetery in Longton, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation Longton Impact Fund, Longton Historical Society, Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, California, Longton United Methodist Church, or the Christian Community Church in Longton, Kansas.  Memorials can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)