Mitchell Shanbour

Mitchell (Mitch) Shanbour passed away on January 4, 2025 with his wife, Linda, by his side. Mitch was born in Alva, Oklahoma on June 28, 1932 to John and Sadie Shanbour. He was the youngest of three boys. His father died when he was only 3 weeks old, leaving his mother to raise him and his two brothers. His parents owned a general store in Alva’s Town Square, which his mother continued to run on her own for four years after his father’s death.

In 1936, Mitch’s mother moved herself and her three boys to Wichita, Kansas to be closer to family. There, she bought a little community grocery store with a house attached so that she could continue to work and raise her family. Mitch started helping in the store when he was 5 years old and continued to do so until 1947 when they moved. One summer to make extra money, Mitch sold ice cream bars from an insulated cardboard box that he carried on his hip. That summer, he walked so many miles that he wore a hole in the sole of his shoe and had to put a piece of cardboard in to cover it up. He made $35 that summer, all of which he gave to his mom.

Mitch graduated from East High School in 1950 and went on to attend Wichita (State) University, where he graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration in 1954. While at WU, Mitch pledged with the Alpha Gamma Gamma Fraternity, was voted Senior Class President, and joined the Air Force ROTC program. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation.

Mitch was called to active duty in April of 1955, where he served for 2 years. During that time, he was sent to Air Force Finance School in Wichita Falls, Texas and was assigned Deputy Finance Officer at Lincoln Air Force Base upon graduation. In Lincoln, he was part of the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. Mitch was deployed to Lakenworth Air Force Base in England as a Finance Officer and then returned to the states to take over as the Finance Disbursing Officer in Abilene, Texas with the rank of Captain.

In June of 1957, Mitch met his wife, Linda and they were married on June 15th, 1958 in Oklahoma City. Mitch went to work for the Boeing Company where he was the Program Finance Manager over several large military programs before he retired in 1999 after 42 years of service.

Mitch and Linda were married for 66 years, living a life dedicated to Christ, their family and friends. They were active members of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral and both were members of the choir for more than 60 years. Mitch was dearly loved and made a positive, impactful impression on everyone he met. Those that knew him have described him as gentle, kind, loving, quiet, humble, and a beautiful soul. If you knew him well, you would also know that he was very witty and funny.

Although Mitch accomplished many things in his life, he considered his family to be his greatest. His love for and dedication to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild were unparalleled. He loved having everyone at the house for holidays and family gatherings. His children include: Michele Egnatis, Fr. Michael “Alan” (Makrina) Shanbour, Paula (Mike) Zarich and Christy (Matt) Babler. Mitch’s grandchildren and apples of his eye include: Christopher, Andrew and Timothy Egnatis, Rachel and Leah Zarich, Hannah (Aaron) Holmes, Alex, Sadie, Sam Babler and Simeon Shanbour. Mitch recently became a great-grandfather to Nico and they became fast friends. They both could and did undoubtedly make the other one smile and laugh.

Mitch is preceded in death by his parents, John and Sadie Shanbour and his brothers, Frederick Shanbour and Alfred (Lucy) Shanbour.

Memorials may be made to St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th Street N., Wichita, KS 67206 or Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Church, 1915 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801.