James Franklin Mitchell's Obituary
James F. Mitchell (Jim) was born on May 23, 1920 in Napton, Missouri and passed away December 24, 2016 in Denison, Texas. His father died when Jim was age 4. As a boy he and his brother Harley worked to make money for the family. They would hunt rabbits with a 22 rifle and sell them to the grocer for 5 cents a piece. Jim dropped out of school while in the 10th grade to work to help support his family. He spent some time in the CCC’s in Minnesota to make money for the family while still a teenager. He served in the U. S. army during W.W.II for 3 years in Europe. We moved from Missouri to Texas (Garland) in 1949. After Roberta had a stroke, he cared for her every need for 5 years by himself. A brother-in-law (who was a preacher) said after visiting while Jim was caring for his sister, Roberta, that Jim was preaching the strongest sermon he had witnessed. He was a good mechanic and kept his own trucks in repair. He retired from Dallas County. He enjoyed tinkering with small engines: lawn mowers, weedeaters, etc. He did his own yardwork into his 90’s. Past 93 he had to give up his push mower and use his riding mower; which he was reluctant to do. He had high standards which he maintained and insisted his sons follow. He was an honest man. As we pass from childhood into adulthood, we often go through stages of seeing our fathers in different lights. I was no exception to this. As a child my Father was the person that knew an and could do all. Then in my early teenage years he suddenly became clueless and didn’t seem to understand anything. As I advanced into early adulthood, I was amazed at how much smarter he became every year. Now as I reflect back over the years, I have developed the following perception of who he was and how he has influenced my life. Although he was not a highly educated man in a formal sense, I consider Dad to have been one of the wisest men that I have known. I have benefited from that wisdom on many occasions over the years. As with any man, he was not without his faults; however, in my perspective he displayed a moral compass that has been a mainstay and guide in my life and the decisions that I have made. Even though his dedication to the Lord came later in his life, he displayed a true sincerity in his love for Christ, the Church and his fellow Christians. I cling to the positives that -he brought to my life through his examples of honesty, integrity, generosity, fairness, unconditional love, and a forgiving spirit. ffis passing truly “leaves a void in my heart, but I rejoice in the fact that he knew and loved the Lord and his family. In loving memory, Steve. Preceded in death by his parents, Charles Austin Mitchell and Rosa Lee Nicely; his first wife, Roberta Helen Lawyer; brothers, Harley Mitchell, R.W. Mitchell; sisters, Velma Hicks, Audrey McCorkle, and Charlene Townsend. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Dora Mae; sons, James Wayne and Stephen Austin; grandsons, Randall, Tracy, Jeremy, Cody and Samuel. great grandchildren, Aly, Ava, Alex, Autumn, and Paisley. Family will receive friends on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, with a funeral service at 11:00 AM at Eastern Hills Church of Christ in Garland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tipton Children’s Home, P.O. Box 370, Tipton, Oklahoma 73570.
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