Donald Wayne Mitchell

Don was born October 12, 1949, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to parents George and Susan “Tootie” Mitchell. Don played with his brothers and cousins in the beautiful Saskatchewan fields of Crestwynd. The family enjoyed a farming homestead for many years and continued that farming in 1961 when the family moved to Sundre, Alberta. In 1963, the family moved to Calgary, and Don graduated from William Aberhart High School in 1967.

It was at a young age that Don developed his love of golf with his brothers Clark and Gary and cousin Dale; you could always catch them playing a round at the Inglewood golf course.

Don loved planes and flying, and he dreamt of being a pilot. He attended Mount Royal's Aviation program and received his pilot license in his early 20s. The first time his brother Clark was ever in a plane was with Don as the pilot and they took off from the Springbank Airport. That first trip found them circling Allan's farm in Sundre where Allan was waving up at Don and Clark. Clark was very supportive of Don's dream until Don started practicing his touch-and-go landings, then Clark decided he had had enough of flying! When Don could no longer fly planes due to needing corrective lenses for his vision, he had a short stint as a helicopter pilot.

In the mid-70s, Don followed his brothers Allan, Murray, and Gary in the oil and gas industry of non-destructive testing (NDT). This work led him and his brothers to locations throughout Alberta. In the late 70s, Gary started Mitchell's Inspection (NDT) in Whitecourt, Alberta. Don moved to Whitecourt soon after and worked with Gary and before long, Clark and his family joined them; from there, Don went and operated the Grande Prairie office of Mitchell's Inspection with Rick Price.

For one year between 1975 and 1976 all five brothers worked together at Iris NDT in Edmonton Alberta. That was a significant and proud year and you would catch them boasting and gleaming about being together.

Don returned to Calgary in 1982 and worked at Western Inspections, now Mistras, where he made many lifelong friendships and had the rare blessing of working with his son every day for the last 18 years. Don was proud of his work, which was a big part of his life. However, his love and devotion to his family was paramount. Don was a loving and caring husband and an exceptionally warm and present father and grandfather. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and taking them for lunch and mini-golf.

Don had an incredible sense of humor, possessed an exceptional work ethic, cherished his family with all his heart, and developed strong friendships throughout his life.

One of Don's passions was the game of golf, which he took up at a young age and continued playing until a few days before his passing. We will all miss Don's smile and joy on the golf course and his timely jokes and wisecracks. In his final round at Muirfield golf course, Don bragged that he beat his brother Clark, and noting his competitive spirit, he is a winner!

Don is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 36 years Wendy Mitchell (née Neilson); children Jennifer Hrstic, son-in-law Denis Hrstic, Hope Mitchell, and Chad Mitchell; brother Clark Mitchell, sister-in-law Sherry Mitchell, sister-in-Law Denise Carrier, sister-in-law Betty Mitchell, and brother-in-law Glen Neilson; grandchildren Bailey, Matthew, Zaviera and Mykah; and nieces and nephews Trevor (Melissa), Michelle (Bradly), Amanda (Graham), Michael, Kevin (Jerica), Murray, Charlene, Brenda, Leila (Nolan), Jesse, Corin (Ty).

He was predeceased by his parents George and Susan Mitchell; brothers Allan, Murray and Gary; nephews Dustin and Rick; beloved cousin Dale amongst other loved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, October 5 at 2:00PM.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to either the Veteran's Food Bank of Calgary at their website https://veteransfoodbankalberta.ca or Cardiac Care at the Foothill's Medical Center at their website https://my.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/page/112838/donate/1?locale=en-CA