Frank Gordon Mitchell

Frank Gordon Mitchell was born on August 17, 1934 to Harland B. and Martha (Chowning) Mitchell in Oklahoma City, OK. He grew up in Seminole, OK and graduated from Seminole High School. He was an accomplished debater, won numerous awards and was inducted into the Seminole Hall of Fame. He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1956. While at OU he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and during one semester was President of the House. After college he served in the United States Navy and was stationed in Washington D.C. In 1957, he married his high school sweetheart Ellen Murphey. They were married for 58 years. He spent most of his career in the aviation industry in Wichita, KS with Cessna Aircraft and Beech Aircraft and was able to travel the world. Fulfilling a desire to teach, he obtained his Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State University in 1996. During his career in aviation he was the recipient of numerous national industry awards. In 1997, Frank was awarded the F.G. Brewer award by the National Aeronautic Association for his contributions to aerospace education. This award resides in the Smithsonian Institute. In 2000 he was awarded the President’s award from the University Aviation Association. In 2002, Frank and Ellen moved to Norman and he joined the University of Oklahoma as an associate professor. He was awarded the Clarence Page Chair professorship and continued teaching until his retirement in 2011. Frank was an OU fan, loved to travel, was a Walt Disney animation and WWII historian and an avid golfer. Frank greatly enjoyed the time he got to spend with his granddaughters. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Ellen of the home, son Brooks and wife Caroline of Oklahoma City, daughter Amanda Roan and husband Scott of Carrollton, TX and granddaughters Charlotte, Laura and Heather. He is also survived by his brother Robert of Oklahoma City. Services will be held at 2:00p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers the family requests a contribution be made to the University of Oklahoma Aviation Department.