Bradley Steven Mitchell, 69, son of Ivan L. and Betty (Ross) Mitchell, was born Feb. 25, 1945, in Tucson, Ariz. He passed away at home on April 13, 2014.
He graduated from Houston High School in 1963.He was commissioned 2LT upon graduation from SMSU in 1968.
Brad married Marilyn Louise Ferguson on Aug. 3, 1972. They had two sons. Marilyn preceded him in death in 2007. At the time of her death they had almost 35 years of dedicated marriage. He later married Sandy Old, who also preceded him in death.
Brad spent three years active duty in the Army and 25 years in the Missouri Army National Guard. He retired Nov. 1, 1991, as a Lt. Col. Brad was a Vietnam Veteran and was awarded three Bronze Stars, an Army Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation for Vietnamese Civic Actions, a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Achievement Medal. He also was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
He was a member of the First Christian Church. Brad held many civic positions through the years, including; Cub Scout Leader, Jaycee Man of the Year, Noble Grand S.O.O.F Lodge #42, six years on the Houston Development Corporation Board of Directors, six years on the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, nine years on the Houston R-1 School Board, Chairman of the Texas County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the City of Houston Zoning and Planning Commission.
Brad was an Insurance Agent and owned and operated Mitchell Insurance since 1986.
Brad was an avid fisherman; he also loved hunting and looking for artifacts. He enjoyed listening to 1950s and 60s music, and loved to make people laugh. He had a good time wherever he went, enjoying visiting with the many friends he made throughout the years.
He had three favorite quotations: 1. Barbara Streisand said, “As long as you have a little kid in you, let a little out everyday.” 2. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair when asked by a reporter why he was so loyal to the United States during the Gulf War said, “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many people want in… and how many want out.” 3. Gen. (Ret) Colin C. Powell when asked by an Archbishop in regards to American Imperialism, “We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives… and have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in.”
He was preceded in death by his parents and wives, Marilyn and Sandy.
Brad was extremely proud of his family and is survived by his sons, Michael Shane Mitchell and wife, Katrina, of Olathe, Kan., and Matthew Steven “Scooter” Mitchell and wife, Melissa, of Janesville, Wisc.; his five grandchildren; a brother, Mike and Brenda Mitchell of Overland Park, Kan.; and numerous friends.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at Evans Funeral Home. Services are 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, at First Christian Church in Houston with Charles Ferguson officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be in Pine Lawn Cemetery. Special music will be played by Hitomi Sutton. Pallbearers are Don Romines, Don Babb, Virgil Pointer, Jim Pokorny, Mike Mitchell, Wayne Long, Bob Davis and Mike Duff. Service arrangements were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The Houston Alumni Association, P.O. Box 304, Houston, MO. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
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