Gerald L. Mitchell

Gerald Lee “Mitch” Mitchell, age 82, of Sherwood AR, formerly of Fairview Heights, IL, passed away on February 11, 2026 in Little Rock, AR.

Gerald was born on December 25, 1943, in Breckenridge, MN, the fourth of six boys born to Ray and Catherine Mitchell. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Hankinson, North Dakota. Gerald went by “Jer” growing up.

After graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in electrical engineering, he entered the Air Force as a First Lieutenant in 1966, and was henceforth known as “Mitch.” Mitch trained as a pilot in Enid, Oklahoma and piloted a C141 flying to Vietnam. He then spent one year in country during the Vietnam Conflict as a forward air controller and flying a Cessna O-2 Skymaster, and a missile launch control officer in North Dakota. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross Medal. Mitch later flew the Sabreliner and Learjet all over the world, retiring as a major at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois after 21 years of service. Upon military retirement, Mitch worked for 28 years as a simulator instructor for Flight Safety International in St. Louis, MO, earning the FAA Wilbur Wright Master Pilot Award. Mitch loved flying and he missed the people with whom he worked after his second retirement.

Mitch was very generous with his free time, volunteering for 15 years at a domestic abuse facility and for his children’s many activities, among them softball teams, middle school computer class, and the girl scout troop, for whom he sewed badges on uniforms. Mitch was very proud of his children, encouraged them in all of their endeavors, and taught them to be independent.

A dedicated mall walker, Mitch enjoyed cooking, specially making a mean Mitchell family potato salad. Mitch liked to fix things around the house and work on his Triumph TR3 sports car. He was an avid reader and loved to play crossword puzzles, fondly recalling working on crossword puzzles with a Flight Safety International pilot colleague. Mitch enjoyed traveling with his wife to New Mexico, Nevada, Delaware, and most recently, to Maine with three of his favorite nieces.

Mitch was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond C. and Catherine R., nee Hipp, Mitchell; and his brothers, William Mitchell, Eugene Mitchell, Curtis Mitchell, and James Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Tetrick Kopper; his children Charles A. Mitchell of Belleville, IL, Margaret T. (Sam Everett) Mitchell of Baltimore, MD, and Max Katherine Mitchell of Columbus, OH; a brother, Robert L. (Julie) Mitchell of Kindred, ND; and many nieces nephews, and other family.

Memorials can be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 2403 McArthur Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas.  Rosary will precede the service at 9:00 AM.

Burial of his cremated remains held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis MO.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.