Mitchell, Gary Dale February 15, 1957 - September 6, 2025

Gary Dale Mitchell passed away Saturday afternoon, September 6, 2025, at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri.

Gary was born on February 15, 1957, near Collins, Missouri, to Lee and Madeline Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Billy Joe Mitchell, his nephew Kenny Braden, nephew-in-law Mitch Warmbrodt, and his brothers-in-law, Al Davis & Don Herndon. He is survived by three brothers, Dennis Mitchell and wife Sue, Mike Mitchell, and Tommy Mitchell all of Collins, Missouri; four sisters, Melba Herndon of Strafford, Missouri, Janice Davis of Lowry City, Missouri, Judy Calhoun & husband Keith of Fritch, Texas, and Donita Russell of Springfield, Missouri. Also surviving are a host of wonderful nieces and nephews, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Gary grew up where he was born on the family farm just west of Collins. He attended Collins Elementary School and graduated from Weaubleau High School in 1975. From the time he was able to walk, he loved the outdoors. He began hunting and fishing at a young age and he continued to enjoy those activities throughout his life.

Gary had a special love for coon hunting and spent many hours in the woods with Bingo, his coon hound. He loved Bingo and together they won multiple coon hunting trophies, often traveling to other states to participate in hunts. He served as an officer in the Polk County Coon Hunters Association and was responsible for organizing several coon hunting events. He loved roaming the woods on a moonlit night and hearing the baying of his hound when it marked “treed.”

Gary’s work history began when he was a teenager working for Bud Keller in Keller’s Fur House where he worked for a number of years. It was during that time that he met and fell in love with Susan Summers and they were married in 1979. Their marriage later ended in 1983.

Gary went on to have quite a varied employment career which included the following : When satellite television was first becoming popular with the “big” satellite dishes mounted on a pole out away from the house, he got a job installing them. At one time, with his partner Linda, he operated a restaurant in Osceola. He also operated a laundromat in the Adrian or Urich area. In the early 2000’s he drove a truck for a distributor out of Harrisonville, Missouri, delivering flowers and plants to Walmart and Lowe’s throughout a four-state area.

Gary purchased a piece of property near Montrose, Missouri, and built a house on it. He did the majority of the work himself…often calling his Dad for guidance, especially on the electrical issues. He sold it before embarking on his next career venture. In 2015, Gary purchased a GMC Cargo Van and began work as a Contract Courier for a company out of Minnesota and later for a company out of Tennessee. He enjoyed this job as he traveled throughout the United States from Maine to North Dakota and from northern Michigan to southern Texas and all parts in between. He loved seeing the different parts of the country. That Van lasted him until 2020 and over 400,000 miles at which time he bought another GMC Cargo Van that was his work vehicle until he retired in early 2022 and that he continued to drive as his main source of transportation.

Although Gary’s favorite pastimes seemed to be enjoyed outdoors and in nature, he also loved the excitement of a good game of Texas Hold ‘Em. So, when he had the time and money in his pocket, he would often take off for a casino where a card tournament was going on. He was very disciplined in keeping within a certain dollar amount that he would spend, and he would often win himself into the next game; but the Big Game Win always eluded him. He said it was great entertainment anyway.

Gary struggled with alcohol addiction in his younger years and he would want you to know that it can be overcome. With the help of AA’s 12-Step Program, he conquered his addiction, although he would tell you that you are always a recovering alcoholic even though he had not had a drink in over 38 years. He was earnest and steadfast in his recovery and became close to God. He would tell you that was his greatest accomplishment. Those who know him would say that his life of testimony, mentoring and encouraging others struggling with alcohol would be the accomplishment he could be most proud of. Gary lived his life honestly and in line with his values. He was stubborn, kind, and loyal. He didn’t like hypocrites and insincerity. He deeply loved his family and the inside jokes he only shared with those he cherished. He could tell a good story, but he was more complex than people realized and thought more deeply than he often shared. You might find him sitting in the park or on the riverbank just talking to God, or offering his testimony at an AA Meeting, or sharing the tomatoes and flowers he grew outside his apartment. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.