Richard Elbert (Dick) Mitchell

Richard E. (Dick) Mitchell, 91, of Portland, Oregon, formerly of Big Spring, died Friday, February 3, 2023, in Ivy Court Assisted Living Center. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Friday, February 10, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment to follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park with Goodfellow Air Force Base Honor Guard rendering honors. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, February 9, at the funeral home.

Dick was born June 5, 1931 in Lamesa, Texas to Fred and Irene Mitchell. He graduated from Lamesa High School in 1950 and served in the Air Force from 1950-1954, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He married LaVera Ann Thompson March 19, 1954 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. They moved to Big Spring where he worked in the J-80 Engine Shop at Webb Air Force Base as a civil service mechanic and shop supervisor. Following the base closure in 1976, Dick worked for the Cosden R&D Lab, Beeline Filter and Supply, and Bob’s Custom Woodworking until his retirement.

Dick was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he sang in the Sanctuary Choir for 30 years, as well as a member of First United Methodist Church in Big Spring and an Affiliate Member of Flower Mound United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Coppell. He was a member of the Confederate Air Force and the Big Spring Gideons. Dick was an active member of multiple Masonic bodies, including Staked Plains Masonic Lodge #598 (where he served as both Worshipful Master and District Deputy Grand Master), Chapter #178, Council #117, Knights Templar Commandery #31, Lubbock Scottish Rite, Suez Shrine, and Order of the Eastern Star #67. He was honored with the Red Cross of Constantine in 2005.

Dick and LaVera moved to Lewisville, Texas in 2008 to be closer to family. LaVera preceded him in death in 2018. In 2020, Dick moved again with family to Portland, Oregon, to spend his final years with family, especially his precious great-granddaughter Wren.

Survivors include one son, Ricky Mitchell and wife, Pam, of Tualatin, Oregon; daughter-in-law, Tamara Mitchell of Dauphin Island, Florida; four grandchildren, RuthAnn Crum and husband Gary Crum of Indianapolis, Indiana; Christopher Mitchell of Brooklyn, New York; Michael Mitchell and wife, Le’Ann of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and Thekla Kidder and husband Gary Kidder of Houston; one great-granddaughter, Wren Duran Mitchell of Lake Oswego, Oregon; one brother, Don Mitchell and wife, Grace, of Lamesa; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to his wife, LaVera, Dick was preceded in death his parents; one son, Russell “Rusty” Mitchell and grandson, Aaron Dale Mitchell; one brother, Kenneth Mitchell; and two sisters, Laverne Shelley and Marilyn Green.

The family suggests memorials to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation or a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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