It is with profound sadness that we note the death of Mitchell Daniel Rector on October 18, 2021. Mitchell (an Oakwood, Texas Police Officer) was working on a traffic enforcement assignment with the Mesquite, Texas Police Department. His police vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. He sustained major injuries, was airlifted to the Baylor Trauma Center in Dallas, Texas where he later died.
Mitchell was 36 years old. He was a single dad with two sons, Christian Mitchell Rector (age 15) and Colton Michael Rector (age 13).
Mitchell was born on September 25, 1985 in Turlock, California to Bart Rector and Jacqueline “Jackie” Warren. He grew up in both California and Texas. He attended schools in Modesto, Manteca and Southern California, as well as Jewett, Texas. He graduated from high school in Colton, California. He later attended and graduated from the law enforcement academy in Texas. He had served as a police officer for eleven years, for most of that time in Buffalo, Texas, where he lived. He was currently employed by the Oakwood City Police Department at the time of his death.
Mitchell had a gift for music, art and writing. While in high school, Mitchell penned thoughtful articles for the school newspaper. He later taught himself to play guitar and added song writing and singing to his interests. He and his friends formed a band, “Aliens in Bowties”, a musical group which has had several hit songs and CD’s with an increasing following and radio airtime,
especially in California. Mitchell combined his passion for music with art in his creation of a comic book, titled “Aliens in Bowties”. More than anything else, Mitchell loved spending time with his two sons who shared his interests and passions. He was a devoted dad to his two boys, who mourn his loss and who, along with all his other family will keep his memory alive in their hearts.
Mitchell was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Deloris Valentine and Richard Reynolds. He is survived by his father, Bart Rector of San Francisco, California, mother, Jackie Warren of Buffalo, Texas, sons, Christian Mitchell Rector and Colton, Michael Rector of Buffalo, Texas. He is also survived by paternal grandparents, Gerald and Rebecca Rector of Manteca, California, brother, Michael (Melissa) Rector of Brentwood, California; sisters, Janet (Cory) Griffiths of Tyler, Texas and Elizabeth Rector of Stockton, California. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Gabriel, Madison, Faith, Gavin, Gannon, Adrianna, Isabella, Sophia, Grayson, Chelsea and Annabella. Mitchell also has numerous aunts, and cousins. Of special note are the extended family members, friends and fellow law enforcement officers who carry his memory forward.
Funeral services were held in Buffalo, Texas on October 23, 2021 under the direction of the Walters Buffalo Funeral Home at the Celebration Church in Buffalo, Texas. Internment services took
place at the Buffalo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent (to support and benefit Mitchell’s sons, Christian and Colton) in care of Gerald and Rebecca Rector at 931 Slalom Drive, Manteca, California 95336
Mitchell, your brief journey in life has ended. Our hearts are filled with sadness, love, deep gratitude and remembrance. And yet, your unique “Song” echoes forward.
Mitchell was 36 years old. He was a single dad with two sons, Christian Mitchell Rector (age 15) and Colton Michael Rector (age 13).
Mitchell was born on September 25, 1985 in Turlock, California to Bart Rector and Jacqueline “Jackie” Warren. He grew up in both California and Texas. He attended schools in Modesto, Manteca and Southern California, as well as Jewett, Texas. He graduated from high school in Colton, California. He later attended and graduated from the law enforcement academy in Texas. He had served as a police officer for eleven years, for most of that time in Buffalo, Texas, where he lived. He was currently employed by the Oakwood City Police Department at the time of his death.
Mitchell had a gift for music, art and writing. While in high school, Mitchell penned thoughtful articles for the school newspaper. He later taught himself to play guitar and added song writing and singing to his interests. He and his friends formed a band, “Aliens in Bowties”, a musical group which has had several hit songs and CD’s with an increasing following and radio airtime,
especially in California. Mitchell combined his passion for music with art in his creation of a comic book, titled “Aliens in Bowties”. More than anything else, Mitchell loved spending time with his two sons who shared his interests and passions. He was a devoted dad to his two boys, who mourn his loss and who, along with all his other family will keep his memory alive in their hearts.
Mitchell was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Deloris Valentine and Richard Reynolds. He is survived by his father, Bart Rector of San Francisco, California, mother, Jackie Warren of Buffalo, Texas, sons, Christian Mitchell Rector and Colton, Michael Rector of Buffalo, Texas. He is also survived by paternal grandparents, Gerald and Rebecca Rector of Manteca, California, brother, Michael (Melissa) Rector of Brentwood, California; sisters, Janet (Cory) Griffiths of Tyler, Texas and Elizabeth Rector of Stockton, California. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Gabriel, Madison, Faith, Gavin, Gannon, Adrianna, Isabella, Sophia, Grayson, Chelsea and Annabella. Mitchell also has numerous aunts, and cousins. Of special note are the extended family members, friends and fellow law enforcement officers who carry his memory forward.
Funeral services were held in Buffalo, Texas on October 23, 2021 under the direction of the Walters Buffalo Funeral Home at the Celebration Church in Buffalo, Texas. Internment services took
place at the Buffalo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent (to support and benefit Mitchell’s sons, Christian and Colton) in care of Gerald and Rebecca Rector at 931 Slalom Drive, Manteca, California 95336
Mitchell, your brief journey in life has ended. Our hearts are filled with sadness, love, deep gratitude and remembrance. And yet, your unique “Song” echoes forward.
Texas
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, November 6, 2021
