Jimmie R Mitchell

Born in Burneyville, Ok. July 25, 1933 to Edgar and Dovey Mitchell. Jim passed away at his home in Fair Oaks, February 13, 2016. Jim Moved to Fresno, California in 1940 with his parents, sister Joyce Mitchell Manning (deceased) and brother Jerry. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951 and immediately enlisted in the Navy where he served until 1954. In July of 1955, he married Janis Spencer. While working days as a front counter salesman for Pioneer Fabrics, he went to college at night, majoring in all things business. He then became an outside salesman for Standard Fabrics. In 1963, Jim, Janis and their son Jeff, moved to San Francisco where Jim began his career with Keyston Bros., starting out as a corporate trainee. An unforeseen incident made it necessary for the firm to call upon Jim to fill an opening for a newly vacant sales position. He and the family relocated to Modesto and then to the Sacramento area, settling in Carmichael in 1965. Their daughter, Kathleen was born in 1967. Jim took the managerial position of the Sacramento Branch and the family then moved to Fair Oaks in 1980. Ever the family man, Jim managed Jeff's Little League baseball team and even though his job kept him away from home, he never missed a game. Jeff and Kathleen both swam competitively and Jim always managed to be at their swim meets. "Blue Bird" father-daughter dances were a must. After several years as a member of Keyston's Board of Directors, in May of 1990, Jim was elected President and CEO. Corporate headquarters had moved from San Francisco to Walnut Creek, but not wanting to move the family again, Jim took an apartment and came home Wednesdays and weekends for the next 13 years. In 1992, he and Jan became members of Cameron Park Country Club. Here they not only enjoyed the golf, but made many dear and wonderful friends. They remained members for 22 years. After his retirement at age 70 from Keyston Bros. Jim did not retire well. Playing golf every day, was not in his game plan. He still wanted to be part of the business world. He went back to work for Jeff, doing the same thing he had done when he started in the fabric business so long ago. He loved being active, talking to customers, making sales, etc. His job was his hobby, and his employees and customers were his extended family. He worked until the day before Thanksgiving, when a tragic fall, took him from us. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Janis, daughter Kathleen, son Jeff, daughter-in-law Melissa, grandchildren Amanda, Madelin, Bradley and great grandson Hunter. He will be missed, but not forgotten.