Lt. Col. Jesse Wayne Mitchell USAF Retired

Lt. Col. Jesse Wayne Mitchell USAF Retired was born in Winters, Texas, January 9, 1922, to Jesse W. and Mary Mitchell. He passed away on May 9, 2010. Devoted husband and beloved father, he is survived by his wife of 67 years, Venita; daughters Debi Farrell Bob of Longview and Janet Finke Rick of Nashville, TN; grandchildren Steven Farrell Nancy of Tyler, TX, Doug Finke of Nashville, TN, Julie Syvrud Zach of Rockwall, TX; great-grandsons Jameson Scout and Luke Mitchell Syvrud; brother Vernon Mitchell of Temple, TX; and nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. His love for his family was all encompassing, and we in return loved him with all our hearts and souls. He was preceded in death by his sister, Inez Roe, and his grandson, Rick Wayne Finke. As a pilot for the Air Force, he retired as a Lt. Col after 20 years with the Strategic Air Command, 509th Bomb Wing. He was assigned to one of the 15 original B-29 Atomic Bomb Crews a very elite group of men - in 1946 and later flew B-29 s, B-50 s, and B-47 s. Upon his retirement he was the Wing Standardization Commander for the 301st Bomb Wing. He remained active with the 509th Reunion Groups and served as an active historian of their crews and activities. Some of this material has been used for TV documentaries, and the entirety of his work is archived in New Mexico. Air Force friends were life long ones, and scattered all over the country. His detailed accounts of life in the Air Force are legendary in our family. From 1963 to1972 he worked in Ohio for a company specializing in church financing. After moving to Longview in 1972, he worked for Southwestern Bell as an air systems contractor until 1985. He sold that company and began working on his three C s: coffee, cars, and computers. Over the next 25 years, he built 2 cars while becoming the resident computer expert for his family, church, and friends. As was common, he was way ahead of the rest of us. For over 50 years he was the consummate servant/leader at Westgate Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, and Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview serving as deacon, teacher, mentor and friend. He gave generously of his time, his money, and his talents and was loved and admired by all who knew him. He was a man of the Lord. Funeral services will be at Rader Funeral Home of Longview on May 12, 2010, at 2 P.M. Visitation will be May 11, 2010, from 6-8 P.M. Honorary pall bearers will be his men s Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oakland Heights Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, or the charity of your choice. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8.

Lt. Col. Jesse Wayne Mitchell USAF Retired

January 9, 1922 - May 9, 2010