BROWNSTOWN
Ralph Andrew Mitchell Sr., 93, a resident of both Marco Island, Florida, and Brownstown, passed away Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, at his Brownstown home.
Born Nov. 18, 1922, in Minden, West Virginia, he was the son of William K. and Hazel Marie Wooten Mitchell, both of whom preceded him in death. In July 1944, he married Laura Jane Cooper, and she preceded him in death Dec. 15, 1995. In October 1996, he married Sue Davis, who survives.
Ralph was a member of First United Methodist Church in Brownstown. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served until 1946. He served with the Third Infantry Division in the European Theater from 1944 to 1946. He achieved the rank of captain and received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, European Occupation Medal, two unit citations and the Crux de Guerre while attached to the Free French Division.
Ralph received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Rose-Hulman Polytechnic Institute, where he later received an honorary doctorate degree. He was a professional civil engineer and founder of Mitchell & Stark Construction Co. He was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club, Elks Club and Masonic Lodge.
Beside his wife, he is survived by three sons, Ralph A. (Karen) Mitchell Jr., Timothy C. (Joyce) Mitchell Sr. and James W. (Connie) Mitchell; two daughters, Amy (Sam) Motazedi and Jeanne (Brian) Penner; three stepsons, Phillip (Linda) Davis, Steve (Lori) Davis and Jay (Cindi) Davis; a stepdaughter, Suzanne Davis (Don) Carlos; a sister, Ann Mitchell Bladen; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Anita Mitchell Olive.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Spurgeon Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kevin Stiles officiating. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown, with full military honors to be presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans 47 and Vietnam Vets 7.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon until time of service Sunday.
Memorials may be given to Community Kids’ Net through the Community Foundation of Jackson County. All donations received will go to children enrolled at Brownstown Elementary School and Brownstown Central Middle School.
Memorials and condolences may be given at spurgeonfh.com.