Arthur James Mitchell

Arthur James Mitchell was born September 30, 1949, in Richland, Washington to the late Deacon John David Mitchell (2013) and the late Rodessa Annette Allen Mitchell (1988). He was the sixth of thirteen children. Arthur attended the Naval Base School in the Tri-City area. In 1956, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and attended Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend O. B. Williams. This is where Arthur received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour and was baptized.

Arthur attended Boise-Eliot Elementary School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967. After graduating from high school, Arthur worked on a ship for the Corps of Engineers dredging along the west coast. During that time, Arthur's high school football coach accepted a position at Whitman College and encouraged him to apply. Arthur attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, on a football scholarship. In 1971, Arthur was the Pacific Northwest Conference All Star Flanker and Whitman College outstanding football player. Arthur graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1972.

After graduation, Arthur accepted a management position with State Farm Insurance in Salem, Oregon. He found he longed for more social interaction and opened a record store, M&M connection with Charles Minor. Arthur met his wife Natalie Kathleen Harris, while she was in Salem, working for the State of Oregon. They married in 1978. Arthur began working for Montgomery Ward in retail management. In 1981, Natalie's position with IBM gave them the opportunity to move to Dallas, Texas, and Arthur was able to transfer with Montgomery Ward. They initially lived in Murphy, Texas and had two daughters: Amanda Mackenzie Mitchell and Samantha Erin Mitchell. To have more family time, Arthur switched careers and began working for Motorola.

Arthur eventually used his Motorola training to open his own business, In and Out Cellular. He ran communication systems for many clients including Baylor Hospitals, Grapevine Mills Mall and The Galleria Dallas. The family moved to Southlake, Texas, in 1988. Arthur enjoyed many volunteer opportunities. He was room dad at Callier and Highland Meadow Montessori schools. Arthur was president of the Dallas Figure Skating Club (1997-2002) and president of the United Methodist Men's organization at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church. He received The Spirit of St. Luke award in October 1990. He sang in the men's choir. Arthur taught 3 years (2015-2017) of Disciple Bible study at St Luke Community UMC. He was on the Southlake water board and a member of Southlake Citizens on Patrol. Arthur enjoyed helping friends and family with technology issues and home repair. He was an avid photographer and chronicled his and the family's journeys with many pictures. Arthur maintained close friendships with the members of the Whitman College football team and travelled to the annual retreat with the guys.

Arthur leaves to celebrate his home going, his wife Natalie, three children: Dwayne Bernard Okpaise (Kristin), Amanda Mitchell (Brett Leghorn) and Samantha Mitchell; Grandchildren: Dwayne Okpaise Jr. (Brice Roberts), Derick Okpaise, Hayden James Leghorn and Taylor Leghorn. Three sisters, Jewell Faye Norman, Pamela W. Mitchell and Barbara A. Mitchell. Brothers, John D. Mitchell II (Jane), Gregory Mitchell and stepbrother Jefferson Gachet. Stepmother Rosa Gachet and Uncle James Melvin Mitchell, many devoted friends and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arthur was preceded in death by Baby Boy Mitchell (1942), Earl Ray Mitchell (1965), Curtis LaVon Mitchell (1991), Marvin Glenn Mitchell (2005), Jimmie Audwin Mitchell (2020), Cal Eugene Mitchell (2021) and Raymond Louis Mitchell (2022).

The Texas Memorial Service to be held: May 25, 2023, at noon-1pm

Location: St Luke Community United Methodist Church

5710 East R. L. Thornton Fwy.

Dallas, TX 75223

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Arthur's remembrance to the American Cancer Society.

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/A-Celebration-of-Arthur-James-Mitchell