Gilbert Thomas “Tom” Mitchell flew his final mission Nov. 25, 2018, departing from his little house on Jackson Prairie, destination Heaven’s Gate. He was born Sept. 12, 1934, to Albert “Ab” and Effie Mae (Bronston) Mitchell in Mountain View, Mo. He had an older brother, James “Jim” and a little sister, Ella Mae.
After graduating from Morton High School at the age of 16, he traveled to California to work in the lumber industry until he was old enough to enlist in the military. He married Dorothy LeComte in Louisville Colo., June 6, 1954. They began their family in 1955.
Tom retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1989, after 37 proud years of service. He retired from the Carpenter’s Union #1707 out of Longview, Wash., in 1991. He shared his love of hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. Tom enjoyed woodworking, playing music and checking things off his bucket list. He and Dorothy also enjoyed spoiling their four-legged kids, Griz, Lucky and Bittles.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; and brother.
Tom is survived by “Sis” Ella Mae (Louis) Carbaugh; wife, Dorothy; five children, Dennis (Diana) Mitchell, Kevin (Kim) Mitchell, Debbie Johnson, Sheri (Fred) Hendricks and Vicki (Loren) Thiel; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Sticklin Funeral Chapel, Centralia Wash. There will be a visitation from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 30, 2018. His body will be laid to rest at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at a graveside service at Doss Cemetery in Mossyrock, Wash.
Memorials and/or donations may be made to the Lewis County Veteran’s Memorial Museum, Chehalis Washington.
