Thomas Clark Mitchell

Thomas (Tom) Clark Mitchell, 82, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas passed away peacefully on January 5, 2022.

Tom was born November 24, 1939 in Horton, Kansas to the late Harry and Mary Mitchell (McConnell). He met his wife Barbara (Spencer) Mitchell in Cape Girardeau, Missouri where they were students at Southeast Missouri State University. They married on July 4, 1964 and they grew their family to include two sons.

Tom’s family describes him as a caring individual who adored his wife, loved time with his children and grandchildren, enjoyed playing cards, laughing with friends, and meeting new people. He was a coin collector, enjoyed going to horse races and having a good bourbon.

Tom proudly served in the Coast Guard & United States Naval Reserves where he retired as a Captain after serving his country for over 30 years. He earned his Ed.D in Education from Oklahoma State University and worked at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN, culminating as Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Leadership Southern Indiana and Christ Lutheran Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Barbara S. Mitchell; sons, Gregory Mitchell (Keir), Douglas Mitchell (Brooke) and “adopted” son Andreas Gerling (Nicole); ten grandchildren: Jackie, Tyler, Ethan, Lauren, Hannah and Megan Mitchell, Madison Gorrick (Devala), Paige Staniscia (Nicholas), Garrett Irving (Audrie) and Tessa Irving; two great grandchildren Everest and Augie Gorrick; brothers Larry Mitchell and Howie McConell, sisters Lorna Schenkel, Vala Wood, Carol Ann Russell, Joan Dieckman and Sherry Phillips. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Mitchell, Mary McConnell and step-mother Dorothy Mitchell.

Visitation will be 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Saturday, January 15, 2022, with memorial service beginning at 2:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 103 Ponferrada Way, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, with Pastor Warren Freiheit officiating. Internment services will be at a future date at the New Albany National Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Thomas Mitchell can be directed to United Services Organization (USO.org) or Christ Lutheran Church.