John J. Mitchell, Co-Founder of United Airlines, Dies at 87

John J. (Jack) Mitchell, a founder of United Airlines and once half of one of America’s wealthiest married couples, died at his Santa Barbara home over the weekend.

Mitchell, 87, who died Sunday, was a banker who moved to Santa Barbara from Chicago in the late 1920s.

Born in Chicago, Mitchell attended Yale University, then served as a Navy aviator in World War I. A third-generation banker, Mitchell worked at the Illinois Merchant Trust & Savings Bank, which became Continental Illinois Bank & Trust Co.

In 1925 he helped found National Air Transport, which, with three other lines, later became United Airlines. He became a member of the board of directors of United in 1937 and remained a director until 1970 when he became director emeritus.

Combined Fortunes

He had married Lolita Armour, heiress to the meat-packing fortune in 1921. Their combined fortunes were estimated at more than $120 million.

The Mitchells once owned the 6,000-acre Juan y Lolita Rancho in the Santa Ynez Valley. They were divorced in 1942 and that year he married Olga Voronseva Varchavshia, a Russian immigrant and interior decorator.

In 1930 he became a co-founder of Rancheros Visitadores (Visiting Ranchers), an organization of horse riders whose membership has included Presidents and national business leaders as well as local riding enthusiasts. President Reagan is an honorary member, Horace Rupp, Rancheros assistant secretary, said Monday. More than 700 people go on the group’s annual ride.

Fiesta Supporter

Mitchell rode with the Rancheros until 1961 and also was an ardent supporter of Santa Barbara’s annual fiesta, serving in 1968 as honorary president.

A philanthropist, Mitchell once donated a Spanish coffer that had been owned by the family of Father Junipero Serra, founder of California missions, to the Santa Barbara Historical Society.

In addition to his wife, his survivors include his daughter, Lolita (Tita) M. Lanning of Santa Barbara; two sons, John J. Mitchell Jr. of Santa Barbara and James J. Mitchell of Mountain View; a brother, William H. Mitchell, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking contributions to the Salvation Army or a favorite charity.