Lawrence Gene "Pepper" Mitchell

Lawrence Gene “Pepper” Mitchell was born in Butte Montana on June 21, 1937 to Laurence Leslie Mitchell and Ruby Violet Drake. In 1962 he married Pana “Jean” Hendricks. They had a son Scott and a daughter Pana Sue. Pepper graduated Greeley and Butte High Schools and during school worked at Town Talk Bakery, Texaco, and his parent’s store, Mitchell’s Friendly Market. As a boy he dreamt of being a rancher and car dealer like his Grandfather Harry Drake. After Graduation Pepper joined the Army to serve his Country. While serving he was involved in a vehicle accident which severed and severely injured his foot; causing him to spend the remainder of his army career at a desk job which allowed him time to study business and finance from which he later earned a degree from the American Institute of Banking and Finance. He started his banking career working at Aetna Finance, Metals Bank, and Montana Bank but spend the majority of his banking career at Miner’s Bank. Due to his foot injury he could no longer comfortably ride horses as he so loved as a boy. After 12 years in banking, he turned to his other passion of cars. After briefly working at Wilsons and Leskovars, He opened Mitchell Motors, “Home of the Pretty Cars”. He specialized in hotrods and trucks. After a successful opening British Leyland offered and granted him the M.G. and Jaguar Dealership. Shortly after Pepper met his soon to be life long friend John Dinsmore. They sold so many Fords that Ford Motor Company offered them the Ford Franchise in 1973. Mitchell Ford was always one of Pepper’s proudest achievements. Some years later family friend Dick Kunkel asked if Pepper wanted to buy the Pontiac GMC Fiat Dealership and he did. Mitchell Pontiac GMC Fiat began. Some years later he retired from the new car business and dabbled in the used car business nearly until his passing. In school Pepper participated in football, basketball, but his favorite things were boxing and riding horses and spending time at his Grandfathers Ranch, Shangri-la. He also loved to hunt and made Outdoor Life in 1955. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time at Georgetown on his dad’s boat, the Honey Bee. To name a few Pepper was a member of several hot rod associations, the Butte Snowmobile Club, the Elks, the Jaycees, the Scottish Rite, the Bagdad Shrine, Sons of the American Revolution, and a decedent of Sir Francis Drake. In later years he rekindled his love for racing and enjoyed countless hours at the racetrack. Pepper was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Pana Sue Mitchell Schafer. He is survived by his son Scott Mitchell, Son in Law Tom Schafer and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Barb Koleman and Senior Solutions. His remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home where funeral services will be conducted Wednesday morning, November 23rd at 11 o’clock. Interment will follow. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Animal Shelter are appreciated.

Tributes

Lawrence Gene "Pepper" Mitchell

June 21, 1937 - November 14, 2022