Allen P. Mitchem

Allen P. Mitchem, 97, a highly respected attorney and longtime resident of Denver, Colorado, died Wednesday, August 3, 2016. He was born to the late James and Adah Mitchem in Burley, Idaho in 1918 moving to Kansas as a young child. Allen received his bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University with honors in 1940 and a J.D. from Washburn Law School in 1947 Magna Cum Laude, and an LLM from Columbia University in 1948. His law school study at Washburn was interrupted from 1942 until 1945 while he served in the United States Marine Corp in the Pacific during WW2 as a pilot rising to the rank of Captain. He was admitted to the Bar: Kansas 1947, Colorado, 1949, United States Supreme Court, 2004. From 1948 through 1953 Allen taught law full time at the University of Denver. In 1953 he entered into private practice while continuing to teach part time at both DU and CU law schools until 1961. From 1961 through 1962 he served as Republican Council to the United States Senate Interior Committee in Washington DC. After his time in Washington, he returned to private law practice in Denver where he stayed active in the practice of law well into his 90s. Allen was a longtime member of Central Christian Church where he served for many years as an elder, as Chairman of the Board, 1963-1965 and as Moderator 1975-1976. He was also involved with several community and professional organizations. Allen was a longtime member of the Denver Civitan Club where he was president from 1955-1956, District Governor 1957-1958 and International Judge Advocate 1958-1959. He was an active member of the Denver Junior Chamber of Commerce until his age limited continued participation. He was a member of Denver Executive Club for whch he was President, 1986-1988. He was a director of the Colorado Christian Home in Denver, 1974-1980. Allen was a trustee for the Endowment Association Fort Hays State University 1968-1978. He had many other civic and charitable activities. Allen's first wife of 47 years, Katherine Irene Mitchem (Egan) passed away unexpectedly at age 71. His second wife of 23-years, Katherine Ida Mitchem (O'Malley and first marriage Webber), passed away in April 2016. Allen is survived by his three sons, Allen Mitchem Jr and his wife Cheryl of Charlottesville VA, James Mitchem of CO, Lowell Mitchem and his wife Rumiko from Baytown TX, his sister Lola Bowman of Lakewood, and sister Mary J. Hess from Maplewood MN. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren Mike Mitchem and his wife Katherine, Marlo Mitchem and her husband Brian Squillace. Megan Gaspar and her husband Steve, Melissa Mitchem, Maggie Mitchem-Flanigan, Rachel Dillon and her husband Gerry, Jin Mitchem and his wife Anja de la Pella, Jinae Higashino and her husband Takashi, Victoria Nishida and her husband Josh, by numerous great-grandchildren and by nieces and nephews and their descendants. Services will be held at Central Christian Church, 3690 Cherry Creek South Dr. Denver, CO, on Friday October 28, 2016 at 1:00 PM followed by a Graveside Service, with Military Honors, at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Pavilion ""C"". Family and Guests to meet no later than 3:00pm at Staging Area ""C"" to follow in escorted procession to the pavilion for the services. Honors will be rendered by the United States Marine Corp.