Zack Fall Mitchell

Zack Fall Mitchell of the Elderville/ Lakeport community passed from this life on December 4, 2020 at the age of 99. He was born on May 22, 1921 on the family farm in southern Gregg County to William Gardiner Mitchell, Sr. and Ethel Mae Fall Mitchell. He attended Longview schools and graduated in 1938. Zack grew up roaming the woods of the Mitchell farm and fishing the Sabine River. Upon graduation, he attended Texas A & M College until he was called away to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a lieutenant with the Fifth Armored Division in the European Theater from Utah Beach to the Rhine River. After the war, he completed his degree in petroleum engineering at Texas A & M and was employed by Stanolind Oil & Gas (later Amoco). In 1947 he met the love of his life, Mary Evelyn Martin. It was love at first sight and after a short courtship they were married on October 3, 1947. They lived in Iraan, Goldsmith, Midland, and Odessa until Zack’s retirement in 1982. They raised two sons, Ronald Hall Mitchell and David Gardiner Mitchell, during their time in West Texas. Upon Zack’s retirement, they returned to the family farm and made their home there until the present time. Zack was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Longview. He was an avid bird hunter and fisherman, and a devoted family man. Some of his passions included gardening, planting shrubs and trees, building fires in his wood stove, and reading and reciting poetry. Zack was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers William Gardiner Mitchell, Jr. and Willis Wilson Mitchell, and his sister Mary Ethel Kutzer. Zack is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary Evelyn Martin Mitchell, two sons, Ronald Hall Mitchell and wife Nan of Gregg County, and David Gardiner Mitchell and wife Ginger of Fredericksburg. He is also survived by three grandsons, Matthew Mitchell and wife Gretchen, Dr. Kent Mitchell and wife Grace, and Gabe Mitchell and fiancée April, and nine great grandchildren. Graveside services will be officiated by Dr. Kent Mitchell at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, December 8 in the Walnut Grove family cemetery on FM 349 in the Elderville/Lakeport community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zack F. (’42) and Mary E. Mitchell Endowed Scholarship. It is accessible through aggienetwork.com/give.

Zack Fall Mitchell

May 22, 1921 - December 4, 2020