Gary Dale Mitchell, son of the late Carlos Fay and Dorothy (Lucas) Mitchell, was born on April 7, 1942, in Wright County, Mo., and passed away on Feb. 17, 2005, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, following a short illness. He was 62.
Gary grew up and attended school in Wright County, and was united in marriage to Monique Greth. Four children were born to this union. He served his country in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged on Aug. 27, 1971. He was also a member of the VFW Post 3770 in Mtn. Grove.
Gary was employed as a cook for the Fordland Honor Camp for several years.
He enjoyed being outdoors, especially when fishing, and he also liked to play bingo and spend time with his family and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Johnnie Mitchell, Freddie Mitchell and Gaylord Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Monique Mitchell; three sons, Steven Mitchell and wife, Angela, of Fordland, Kelly Mitchell and wife, Kathy, of Fort Lewis, Wash., and Stacy Mitchell and wife, Tracy, of Ava; one daughter, Pamela Bowen and husband, Tom, of Blackshear, Ga.; five brothers, Roy Mitchell, Hartville, Darrell Mitchell, Blue Springs, Terry Mitchell, Mtn. Grove, Robert Mitchell, Norwood, and James Mitchell, Mansfield; three sisters, Barbara Burdick, Hartville, Mary Charpentier and Jackie Mitchell, both of Mtn. Grove; 12 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. in the Mountain Valley Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Curtis officiating. Full military rites were provided by the American Legion Post 30 with Jared Moore serving as bugler. Burial was in Mountain Valley Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Funeral Home of Mtn. Grove.
