Frank A. Mitchell, age 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital in Nacogdoches, Texas. Frank was surrounded by his family as he went to be with the Lord.
Born on October 20, 1947 in Monroe, Louisiana to Francis A. and Sybil Irene (Lamb) Mitchell, Frank spent his childhood in multiple states, with fondest memories being in Tennessee, Mississippi, and in Houston, Texas. Frank proudly served in the United States Army where he maintained peacetime in Korea and earned his Honorable Discharge. He specifically enjoyed the time he spent at the Bethesda Training Ground’s Psychology Research Center in Bethesda, Maryland and being a Medic. Frank graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Forestry and married the love of his life, Peggy McWhirter on July 20, 1974. Together, Frank and Peggy had 4 children: Lisa Marie Kastner, married to Tracy Kastner, Travis Melvin Mitchell, Melodie Mitchell Davis, married to Justin Davis, and Joseph Glenn Mitchell. Frank was the proud “Grandpa Buddy” to 6 grandchildren: Nathaniel Dean Kastner, Macie Michelle Davis, Leila Brooke Davis, Lillian Grace Kastner, Andrew Mitchell Kastner and Reagan Kate Davis.
Frank began his working career as a surveyor in 1970 in Nacogdoches, owned a contract engineering firm in Longview, Texas, and then joined Southwestern Bell Telephone as an Outside Plant Engineer in the early 1980s. He relocated to the DFW area with Southwestern Bell in 1987 and held various management positions thereafter. Frank retired from Southwestern Bell as a Senior Technical Manager in Network Planning and Engineering in 2006 with 28 years of service. Frank was also a “weekend rancher” his entire adult life on his farm, The Two Boots Ranch in Nacogdoches, Texas. Retiring early in life allowed him to live his dream of being a full-time rancher with his two sons, and to be cherished as “Grandpa Buddy” for over 11 years. He loved baseball, running and motorcycles as a young boy and always remembered going to the Little League World Series when his team won the Tennessee State Championship. As an adult, he enjoyed managing his cattle ranch, hunting, spending time with family and friends, and being in nature.
Frank’s self-claimed “rogue drummer” led him to be a rebel cowboy who was admired and respected for always doing what was right, regardless of popularity, standing for morals, ethics and values in all he did, and for paving his own path. Frank never met a stranger anywhere he went and maintained many life-long friendships. He had a heart of gold and would give anyone the shirt off of his back. He’ll always be remembered for his humble, gentle character, deep loyalty to family and friends, witty sense of humor, love for nature, ability to connect with animals and kids, and for the incredible gift he had to build anything out of wood. One of the many cherished items he built was a log cabin in the woods that he and college buddies built with bare hands by cutting down trees on the first of many acres of land he acquired. That log cabin became a safe-haven of love and fun to multiple family and friends for the forty-plus years it stood firm.
Frank is survived in death by his wife of 43 years, Peggy J. (McWhirter) Mitchell, children Lisa Kastner and husband Tracy, Travis Mitchell, Melodie Davis and husband Justin, Joseph Mitchell, grandchildren Nathan, Lillian and Andrew Kastner and Macie, Leila and Reagan Davis, brother Joe Mitchell and wife Bridgett, sister Patricia Ishee and husband Chuck, sister Margaret Nace, sister Mary Anne Cooper and husband Jerry Ray, sister Geraldine Wheeler, sister Marie Jones and husband Larry, and sister Sybil Mitchell and multiple nieces and nephews. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Sybil (Lamb) Mitchell, and brother Matthew Mitchell.
The family sends sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Charles Page, Dr. Lloyd Whitley, Dr. Gerald Ventura, Dr. Mary Hebert, Dr. Richard Baker and all of their staff as well as to Nacogdoches Medical Center and our Home Health Care Professionals for the unending blessings of hope, encouragement, faith, top-notch medical care, and passionate, sincere dedication 24 hours a day. We are forever grateful for the difference you made in Frank’s life.
Frank’s family and life-long friends celebrate his life knowing his legacy will live on forevermore. Our beloved husband, daddy, grandpa Buddy and friend will be forever cherished and missed.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017, at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches. A visitation will be held prior to the graveside from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Joe Mitchell, Patrick McWhirter, Cy Gamble, Larry Jones, Grant Sitton, Brett Mitchell, Tyler Gamble, and Colton Gamble.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to one of the following organizations:
Cook Children’s Healthcare System at:
https://www.cookchildrens.org/html/giving/forms/donate-main.html
Or
One of the many Texas Parks and Wildlife programs at:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/donations/
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches, Texas.
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