Mitchell, Thomas "Tom" Lloyd (1925-2007)

MITCHELL, BLACK, LUKEN, JACOBSON, STINTON, BARTLETT, JONAS, ELSE, BARBAGALLO, FYMBO, TANNER, WALKER, EARLICH

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2008 at 20:52:34

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 24, 2007

Thomas "Tom" Lloyd Mitchell died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, after a lengthy illness.

Thomas lived a rich, vital life. Tom was born in Sioux City on Sept, 18, 1925. He graduated in 1944 from Central High School. While at Central he was involved in choir, opera, Spanish club and football. As a senior, Tom was voted a "C for Central" student, awarded to only six students from each graduating class. He was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation, Tom enlisted in the Air Corps. Tom was being trained as a flight engineer when World War II ended.

Upon returning to Sioux City, Tom met his first love Lois Black while attending a dance at Briar Cliff College. Tom and Lois were married in Ledyard, Iowa on June 7, 1947. Tom and Lois moved to Ames in order for Tom to attend Iowa State College. Thomas was conferred the bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering on June 9, 1950. Upon graduation, Tom accepted a position with Iowa Public Service Company, as a gas operations engineer, with whom he was employed for 40 years, until his retirement in 1990. His wife Lois Mitchell died on May 13, 1995.

He was a member of St. James Catholic Church. Tom was an active member of the Gehlen Band Parents Association, where for many years he and his life-long friend, Lawrence Sanow, cooked and sliced the turkeys served at the Gehlen Turkey Dinner and the St. James Church annual smorgasbord. He was an active member of the International Association of Lions Clubs for over 40 years. While a member of the Lions he served as the president of the Sioux City chapter in 1987-1988; as well as the District Governor, District 9-x1 in 1992-1993. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award and the Warren Coleman Honorary Award from the Lions Clubs. Tom was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years. He received the distinction of being a Fourth Degree Knight in 1981. He was also a member of the American Legion, Wasmer Post #241 and a member of the World War II Last Man's Club.

In his personal life he was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Tom supported his family and friends in numerous ways, too many to mention.

On March 15, 1997, Tom married his second love Phyllis (Luken) Jacobson. Tom and Phyllis enjoyed spending time together, gardening, and traveling, especially to Alaska and the Panama Canal. Their love and commitment to each other enabled Tom's health to flourish through his final days.

Thomas is survived by his second wife, Phyllis; his son and daughters, Thomas and Stella Mitchell of Orchard, Colo., Diane and Gene Stinton of Le Mars, Jacqueline and Roger Bartlett of Overland Park, Kan., Michelle and Randy Jonas of Cedar Rapids, and Marcia and Bill Else of Avondale, Ariz.; two step-daughters, Tami and Sam Barbagallo of Melbourne, Australia and Teysa Fymbo of Storm Lake; and a step-son, Mark Tanner of Sioux City; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and his favorite nephew Lex Walker of Le Mars.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois; his parents, Thomas and Wilhemina (Earlich) Mitchell; his siblings Lex, Dorothy, Marian and Lebert; twin granddaughters, Jennifer and Rachel Stinton; and his grandson, Jimmy Burnett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. James Tigges officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 26, at St. James Church, where there will be a parish rosary at 4 p.m., a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., followed by a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus rosary and a 4th Degree Chalice Service.

The Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars will be handling the arrangements for Thomas Mitchell's family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established by his family at a future date.

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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