RAYMOND MITCHELL 1956 - 1978 STATION AGENT, ASSISTANT STATION MANAGER, SENIOR STATION AGENT FYV R D MITCHELL Seniority date of 4/9/56, emp # 05758, on the 1/1/74 FL/ALEA seniority list. He took medical retirement about 1978 due to a bad back. He had many business interests, including an oil company, to pursue. Nicknames included Mitch, Chief and Big Daddy. -Jake Lamkins (4/2/07) Note: Jake, After Mitchell Oil sold I retired for one week - then started working for NW Oil Co. I travel Ark, Okla and Mo. We have another company in Aurora MO. I do about 1,000 miles a week in PR work and collecting for gas sold for over 50 stores. I never plan to retire again. Having too much fun. -Raymond Mitchell (6/26/07) I ran into Joe Black at the FYV Senior Center who said Mitch usually came on Wed. Later Mitch showed up and we chatted awhile. He seems a bit heavier and has a short white beard. He said he still works part-time at the oil company and enjoys it. He's 77 now. I asked him when he left FL but he couldn't remember. I invited him to the Old FARTS meetings: Old Frontier Airlines Retired Ticket Smashers. -Jake Lamkins (9/10/08) Old FARTS met May 26, 2009, 12:50 - 2:20 PM. Rod Downey, Paul Farris, Johnny Selph, Raymond Mitchell and me. Best meeting in some time due to Raymond. He told lots of stories from the 50s when he started (4/9/56). He went to GSW and interveiwed with Truman Jones. He also had an offer from the state police. He was just out of the Air Force as a 1st Lt. Next day he told Truman he would take the job for $20 more than the $220 offered. Truman agreed and told him to start next day. The rest of the FYV agents went on "strike" (no union then) because he got more. They were all fired and new hiring began. Very busy that first day and Jones never got a chance to talk to Caudle who was there. Caudle got hired next day so Mitch always had one day seniority on him. Walt Whitecrow was the FYV manager with Jones and Pappy O'Drain helping out til replacements could be hired. The other agents were relief agent Bill Sharkey and Bill Ockerman. Mitchell said his heart never was in the airline business - just a fair paying job. He worked part time for years as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Arthur Davidson. He worked for 22 years then retired. -Jake Lamkins (5/26/09) I hear that Mitch is in the hospital and they can't find out what is wrong with him. -Johnny Selph (7/5/10) Daphne Mitchell just called me back. Mitch as been in WRMC about 3 weeks. He is having heart and breathing problems and also had gall bladder problems. He is in CCU 4204. Visiting, as you probably know is very limited in the Unit. She had come home after the 1830 visiting hours and is to go back for 2030 visiting hours. I may try to see if I can see him tomorrow but he is not doing well and is on oxygen. I asked her to keep us posted. -Ken Stewart (7/5/10) Just went by Mitch's room. It is 2204, rather than 4204. Visiting hours are one hour at a time and I got there just as his wife and son came up. Dwight said he is not very coherent due to certain gases in his blood off kilter. I did not go in as it is primarily "family only" but I could see he has full oxygen mask. -Ken Stewart (7/6/10) Just got to visit w/ Mitch a few minutes. He recognized me. He is still in CCU 2204. Dr Woods is expected to do gallbladder surgery today, the simple type. -Ken Stewart (7/5/10) Sent to FYV: You can email Mitch at http://www.wregional.com/body.cfm?id=268 His room is CCU 2204. -Jake Lamkins (7/13/10) Just saw Mitch. He is coming out of anesthetic. They did not do surgery until 9 this morning and had to do the old fashioned type as was too inflamed to do belly-button. -Ken Stewart (7/14/10) I just visited w/Mitch a few minutes. He was very aware. They are still trying to determine exactly what is going as he is bleeding internally and even had one transfusion. He says he is tired of the hospital but may have to go to rehab for a while first. If you shud go to see him (still in 2204) be prepared to put on plastic protective clothing. -Ken Stewart (7/20/10) We wanted to send you this since dad loved and cherished his years at the old Frontier Airlines. He was always telling us stories about the old days. I will send a photo at a later date. -Dwight Mitchell (8/5/10) OBITUARY Raymond Dwain Mitchell, 78, died Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Daphina Mitchell; his son, Dwain Mitchell and wife Deanna Mitchell; his son, Dwight Mitchell and wife Brandy Mitchell; and one grandson, Jonathan Mitchell, all of Fayetteville. Raymond was a charter member and deacon at Ridgeview Baptist Church and a life long participant and promoter of Southern Gospel Music in the region. He was a member of numerous quartets including The Ridgeviews, The Hartfords and others. After graduating from Huntsville High School, he attended the University of Arkansas, earning a bachelor's degree in Education. His working life after school was full of adventure, including being stationed in Alaska during the Korean conflict with the United States Air Force, teaching at Elkins High School, serving as a Washington County Deputy Sheriff, working for many years for Frontier Airlines at Drake field in Fayetteville Arkansas, and finally retiring from a long career in oil and gas marketing in Northwest Arkansas that started with Mitchell Oil Company. Raymond had a love for family and friends, always ready for his chance to entertain with stories and singing, and when away from those he loved he had a passion for his flowerbeds, spending hours working in his short retirement years in his gardens. Visitation with his family will be held on Friday, August 6 from 5 to 7 at Beard's Chapel, followed by a funeral at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 7 at Ridgeview Baptist Church and interment at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. I attended Mitch's viewing where there was a large turnout - maybe 40 or 50 people. I did not know any of them nor did I see any other FLolks. Spoke to his children Deanna and Dwight for a moment. I told Dwight to send anything he wanted to add to Mitch's memorial page. He pointed out the large photo of a FL CV580 displayed with the flowers. He said his dad often spoke fondly of his career with CN/FL. I last saw Mitch at the 9/29/09 Old FARTS meeting. He seemed in good health and good spirits. -Jake Lamkins (8/6/10) It is disheartening to receive such news. I guess that is life. The message of Mitchell is sadly received. -Warren McLellan (8/7/10)