Mitchell B. Easley, Sr.

Mitchell B. Easley, Sr. left this world Tuesday, July 12, 2011 to be with our lord. Mitch was born January 29, 1924 at McAlester, Oklahoma. He was a child of the Great Depression and served as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot in WW II. Mitch was stationed with the 15th Army Air Force along Italy's Adriatic Sea coast near Termoli. During the war he flew 46 combat missions over enemy territory shooting down four German fighters and was awarded the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. For heroic action on an extremely dangerous strafing mission near Wels, Austria on February 7, 1945 Mitch was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of our nation's highest military awards. Prior to shipping overseas Mitch married Iva Jean Ellis of Wilburton, Oklahoma. After the war Mitch and Jean settled in a house in NW Oklahoma City and raised two sons. Mitch worked thirty years in the builder's hardware industry and Jean worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for thirty years. After retirement Mitch and Jean traveled around the United States and took loving care of their home and many pets. Mitch is survived by his wife Jean of 67 years, two sons, Mitchell B. Easley, Jr. of Plano, Texas and Stephen W. Easley of Columbia, South Carolina, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Mitch was a proud Oklahoman and patriot. He loved his country and all it stood for. We will always carry the memory of the sacrifices he made for our country and for all of us so we could enjoy the privileges we now have. The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers be given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will greet visitors at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home Friday afternoon July 15, 2011 from 1 to 5 p.m. . Services will be at 10 AM Saturday July 16, 2011 at Smith & Kernke. Interment will be 12:30 p.m. Monday July 18, 2011 at the Dallas, Texas National Cemetery.