Donald Mitchell

On August 28, 2008, Don Mitchell lost his four and a half year courageous battle with cancer, at home, with his family by his side. Don Mitchell was born in Islington, Ontario, Canada on November 1, 1932 to Frances James Mitchell & Laura (Bache) Mitchell. He came to the United States on a permanent Visa in 1955. Don was an avid hockey player and passionately competed in Canada and the United States. As fate would have it, Don met the love of his life and married Shirley Harbaugh in Dumont, New Jersey on August 17, 1957. He was blessed with two children, Laurie and Kevin. While living in New Jersey he worked for the Ford Motor Company. He would then move his family to Long Island, N.Y., where he worked for the Krugs Baking Company. In 1963, he began his career in the insurance industry with Prudential Life Insurance. On a summer vacation out west in 1968, Don & Shirley fell in love with Idaho, and in 1969 moved their family to Coeur d’Alene. Without a job, place to stay, and arriving during one of the biggest snow storms in years, this was challenging to say the least. While having his Volkswagen camper serviced at the local dealership, Don’s charismatic charm landed him with a serviced Volkswagen and a job. In February 1972, Don had the opportunity to purchase the Farmers Insurance Agency in Sandpoint, which he owned until his retirement in 1998. Don not only supported his family, but also supported and served his community. He has served as past president of the: Sandpoint Lions Club, Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club/K&K Derby, Button Auction, Circle & Swing-Square Dance Club, and was a member of the Port Alberni Yacht Club, (Vancouver Island, Canada) for over twenty eight years. First and foremost, Don loved his family. He was very proud of each and every one of them and let everybody know it. Don’s hunger for life was evident in those lives he touched. As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and lifelong friend to many, he taught us all how to live life and enjoy each day. He lived life by smiling and laughing, along with loving passionately and abundantly. He entertained many by the songs and stories that he told and captured the full attention of those who heard him. He told the legend about how he came to this earth. He stated, since he was the youngest of seven, God took the brains from his three brothers and the good looks from his three sisters, put them together, and he was born. He also told many, that since he was born on “All Saints Day” and his first name was Joseph, he had to be a saint… all told with a big smile on his face. His other passions in life were boating, fishing, and hunting. His favorite part was that his wife shared these passions. They spent the month of August for the past 35 years, on their boat, in Barclay Sound off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Don and Shirley spent 51 wonderful years of marriage by each other’s side. He will truly be missed. Don is survived by wife Shirley Mitchell, children Laurie Raynor & Kevin (Val) Mitchell, grandchildren Tanjee (Robert) Kellogg, Jarae (Alfredo) Nevarez, Kinsie Raynor, Ben (Brittney) Mitchell, Nick Mitchell and Hayley Mitchell, great grandchildren Jayden & Konner Kellogg, B.J., Lilly May, & Noah Mitchell, Breckin Nevarez, brother George (Kay) Mitchell, Ontario, Canada, sister Norma (Art) Pilcher, Ontario, Canada, mother-in-law Evelyn Khoury, Tulsa, OK, brother-in-laws James (Roxanne) Khoury, Tulsa, OK, John (Betty) Khoury, Tulsa, OK, and local cousins George (Donna) Gow, Bill (Diane) Gow, Michael (Laura) Gow & Hunter, Gregg Gow, and many cousins, nieces, & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and great-great nieces & nephews throughout the United States and Canada. Preceded in death by infant son Brian M. Mitchell, parents James & Laura Mitchell, sisters Irene Stoll, Pearl Kirkpatrick, brothers Frank Mitchell, James F. Mitchell, nieces Eleanor Duck, Ann Kirkpatrick and great nephew Kim Kirkpatrick. At his request, the family will host a “Celebration of Life” open house Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 1909 Arbor Way, Sandpoint, Idaho. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.