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Walter Preston Mitchell, 85, of Blossom passed away Tuesday May 8, 2012 at Springlake Memory Care Center. Funeral services will be held at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home 2:00 p.m. Thursday May 10 with Evan Butler officiating. Burial will follow in Red Oak Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 1 hour prior to service from 1 until 2 p.m.

He was born July 1, 1926 on the family farm a son of Walter Temolian and Eula Kathleen Ladyman Mitchell. He married Winnie Shumate July 28, 1949 and after her death in 1980 he married Ruby C. Keener Allen in 1981. He worked in maintenance at Campbell Soup Co. for 23 years and carried on ranching on the family farm. In 1989 he received the Texas Family Land Heritage certificate which honors properties that have been in continuous agricultural production for 100 years by one family. He attended churches in the Blossom area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, a daughter Donna Mitchell; step-son Ronnie Allen, step-grandchildren Kevin Allen and Hunter Norwood; sisters Ruby L. Crawford, Gladys M. McClellan; brothers Claude E. Mitchell and Clarence V. Mitchell.

Survivors include sons Philip R. Mitchell and wife Debbie, Keith Mitchell and wife Leann; step-daughter Robin Norwood; grandchildren and their spouses Reigen Lox and Rich, Brian Mitchell and fiancé Dorothy, Deanna Mitchell, Kim Suddeath and Eric, Kelli Mitchell, Hanna Norwood, Kaine Allen; great grandchildren Richard, Emma, and Hayden Lox, Breckin Mitchell; Sister-in-law Dorothy Mitchell and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Joel Crawford, Lynn McClellan, Brian Mitchell, Kenny Wood, Mike Roddy, Ronald Roddy, Jim Wilkins, and Tommy Mitchell.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at the Home Place, Springlake Memory Care and Dr. Surber.