RONALD M. MITCHELL ~ Class of 1962
June 5, 1944 - December 9, 2006



Ron Mitchell passed away on December 9, 2006, and goes to a wonderful place to be with friends and family who have gone on before. Ron was born to Margie Maurine Taysom and Linas Moad Mitchell on June 5, 1944, in Portland, OR. He was their first child and only son. In 1948 his family, which now included sister, Patti ('64), moved to Richland so his dad could work as a Hanford fireman. Although his mom was not real excited about the dust and wind, Ron loved growing up in Richland, the “Atomic City”. His youngest sister, Laurie ('71), joined the family. He attended Marcus Whitman Elementary, Carmichael Jr. High, and graduated from Richland High School in 1962.

Ron attended college at Brigham Young University for a couple of years and then served a two-year mission to Australia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Following his return, he had the opportunity to serve his country during the Vietnam Era as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Sam Houston, TX where he met his bride-to-be, Mimi Black, at a church dance. Following a stint as a Medical Corpsman in Korea, he returned to BYU and Mimi. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 27, 1970. While attending school in Provo, UT, Tiffany Paige and Chad were born. Ron and Mimi were awarded their degrees in 1972 and Ron earned a M. S. degree in Zoology in 1974. Their first real job took them to Mimi’s home town, San Antonio, TX where Ron worked as a Scientist for Southwest Research Institute. Soon April Lee and Marissa Maurine joined the family.

In 1977, Ron accepted a job at Hanford as a Radio Ecologist and returned to Richland. Ron and Mimi loved to travel and spent much time camping, fishing and at the Oregon Coast. In the ensuing years, Jarron Moad, Derek Cord, Rory Clint, and Natalie Brooke were added to create a large, bustling family with lots of soccer, football, volleyball, wrestling, little league, basketball, track, scouting, etc.

Ron enjoyed being outdoors anytime…gardening, fishing, reading, and most of all, he enjoyed the opportunity to teach any kind of class. As a member of the LDS Church, he served in the high priests group, bishoprics, as a youth leader, home teacher, and his favorite – Gospel Doctrine teacher.

Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Margie and sister, Laurie Ann Hansen. He leaves behind his beloved wife and eternal companion, Mimi, daughter, Tiffany Robertson and son-in-law, Bruce, grandchildren, Conner, Kelci, Kea, Macy and Davis; son, Chad and daughter-in-law, Bonnie, grandchildren, Caitlin, McKay, Carter, Chloe and Quinn; daughter, April Creer and son-in-law Britt, grandchildren, Jackson, Gracie, and Palmer; daughter, Marissa Romans and son-in-law, Denton and grandchildren Leo and Fischer; son, Jarron and daughter-in-law, Dani and grandson, Cameron; son, Derek and daughter-in-law, Krista and granddaughter, Rylee; son, Rory, daughter, Natalie, and sister, Patti.

Ron loved his family and friends, and it is his only regret that it will be a while before he can be with them again.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thayer Chapel. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

A closed casket viewing will be at Einan’s Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Please make any memorials to a charity of your choice. Sign/View the guestbook for Ron at: http://einansfuneralhome.com/obits.php