Bruce Francis Mitchell

Bruce was born on December 23, 1926, in Iowa City, Iowa. Most of his younger days were spent living in an orphanage. He talked about his adventures of working on a dairy farm and riding sixteen miles to school on his bicycle. When he was old enough, he joined the Navy. While serving his country from 1945-1956, he earned his GED and became an AE Airplane Electrician.

On October 2, 1954, he married Reta Jo (Hough) Mitchell. They spent the majority of their married life in the Kansas City area, where he was a Flight Engineer for TWA and his wife was a teacher and free lance writer. Together they worked on various projects for North Kansas City. He was especially proud of his work on the history of Winnwood Beach, the White Oak Chapel project, and the restoration of Penguin Park. In his spare time, he enjoyed tinkering with old Maytag engines and flying his airplane.

Bruce is survived by his son Russell Mitchell and daughter-in-law Pam; grandson Tyler all of Lynnwood, Washington; a special niece Barbara Jo Kerr; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Reta Jo (Hough) Mitchell; his mother Mabel (Shonka) Mitchell; his father James Gusta Mitchell; and a brother William Mitchell.

Bruce will be fondly remembered by family and friends as the man who took great pleasure in giving gifts, flying airplanes, fixing anything that was broken, and a United States Navy veteran.

A burial will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of McGilley Antioch Chapel in Kansas City, MO.