Obituary of Dennis James Mitchell

Dennis James Mitchell, QC, was born in Leipzig, Saskatchewan on October 11, 1934, and passed away peacefully in his home in Dawson Creek on September 16, 2012. 26 days short of his 78th birthday. Dennis married Ruby Walker on November 3, 1954 and moved to Vancouver to go to university. During his practice of law Dennis articled to Bull, Houser & Tupper in Vancouver and practiced in the firm of Birney, Nichols and Mitchell, then moved to Dawson Creek with Lundeen, Clancy & Mitchell, followed by Fort St John with Thomas, Mitchell, Herdy & McLachlin before opening his own office in 1972 in Dawson Creek. As well as practicing law, and enjoying his hobby farm, Dennis managed to serve his community well: He was past President of the Dunbar Little League in Vancouver, President of the Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce when it hosted the provincial convention, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Kodiak Junior Hockey team. Dennis also served on the implementation Committee for the University of Northern BC; and as a Director of the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation. Dennis served in several positions for the Law Society of British Columbia concluding as Master Treasurer in 1988. He served on the board of the Law Foundation; was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion; and served on the Board of Directors for Northern Health. Madam Justice McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada wrote "Dennis contributed enormously to my life, as he did to so many other lives, and to the well-being of his family. He lived each moment to the fullest. A man of intelligence, learning and extraordinary compassion. He will be missed". Dennis was predeceased by his father Sam Mitchell and mother Marcella, who came to Dawson Creek during the construction of the Alaska Highway. Dennis is survived by his loving wife Ruby, one sister Joan, his sons Fredrick (Cathy), Duane (Diana), and Greg (Kathy), his two daughters LeeAnne Evanow (Mike) and Laurel Landrey (Eric). He was blessed with eight grandsons: Stephen, David, Dion, Mark, Sean, Sam, Liam and James and nine granddaughters: Anjoli, Ashley, Nicole, Kirstine, Karen, Coline, Jennifer, Mila and Marcie, and eight great-grandchildren. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium