Richard P. Mitchell

Loving husband Richard Paul Mitchell, 61, of Longview died Sept. 25, 2009, at the Hospice Care Center. He was born Jan. 15, 1948, in Spokane, to Dr. and Mrs. Howard E. and Jeanne (Mewhinney) Mitchell. He lived in Bellingham before moving to Longview in 1978. Richard attended Bellingham High School, Whitworth College and Fuller Seminary. He was an interim pastor in the Spokane area and was a Washington State probation and parole officer, retiring as supervisor of work release in Longview in 1997. He was a former chairman of the board for Longview Community Church and was a member of the National World Wildlife Organization, World Wildlife Organization and Family Health Center. Richard enjoyed reading, his computer, watching T.V., and traveling, including a number of cruises. He was generous, loving, intelligent and strong-willed. Richard knew how to care for his family and friends. He married Sue Golden in 1969 in Bellingham. They later divorced. In 1979, he married Nancy (White) McDonald in Longview. She survives him at home. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Angelia Fernandez at home; a stepdaughter, Libby McDonald of Kelso; his parents in Bellingham; two brothers, Peter Mitchell of Glastonberry, Conn., and John Mitchell of Tuscon, Ariz.; a sister, Karin Mitchell of Mukilteo, Wash.; a brother-in-law, Steve White of Federal Way; and uncles, aunts and cousins in Spokane. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at Longview Community Church with Dr. John Williams and Dr. Harlan Gilliland officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to FISH of Cowlitz County, P.O. Box 135, Longview, WA 98632 or a charity of choice. Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.