Babe Ruth Mitchell

Babe Ruth "BR" Mitchell, 94, died June 30, 2014 in Oklahoma City from failing health. He was born June 4, 1920 in Coleman County, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Katherine Jane "Kit" (Stephens) Mitchell; his parents Alfred Lafayette & Eva Lea (Davis) Mitchell; siblings Hazel Mitchell, Catherine McDowell, Otho Belle "Billie" Hotman Briley; Rance Mills "RM" Mitchell, Bessie Mae Williams Cain, Darrell Mitchell; and nephews Rance Mitchell, Otis Williams, and Richard Williams. Babe is survived by his sons Terry Stephen Mitchell (Jane) of Springdale, AR, and Mike Dana Mitchell of Oklahoma City; grandsons David Paul Mitchell (Kimberly) and Douglas Stephen Mitchell (Amy) of Springdale, AR; nieces Michelle Jenkins of Oklahoma City, Jeanene Jenkins Hulsey (Ron) of Santa Fe, NM; Candice Mitchell of CA; Sondra Mitchell Gilligan (Ray) of Fullerton, CA; nephews Jim Briley (Elisha) of Amarillo, TX, Steve Mitchell & Mark Mitchell of CA; John Williams (Judy) of MT. Babe graduated from high school in Goodnight, TX in 1939 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940. After Pearl Harbor he entered pilot training, receiving his wings and promotion to Staff Sergeant Pilot September 6, 1942. In 1943-44 Babe completed 51 missions over southern Europe piloting B-17 heavy bombers. He was released from the Army as a First Lieutenant in June 1945. Babe and Kit were married March 22, 1944 in Oklahoma City. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Oklahoma in 1948, and a Masters of Education at Columbia University in New York City in 1949. During the 1950's Babe taught social studies and history at Southeast and Classen High Schools in OKC. About 1960 he entered the insurance adjustment profession, specializing in aircraft accident losses. Babe enjoyed flying his own airplane and was a charter member of the national Organization of Flying Adjusters. Babe and Kit loved life and loved to travel the back roads of the USA, eventually visiting every state in the union. He was a member of First Christian Church, Oklahoma City for many years. A Memorial Service will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.