Bo Mitchell

BO MITCHELL

Bo Mitchell, author, Navy Pilot, World War II veteran, sports broadcaster, radio station owner, and Christian Missionary died on Thursday, November 6, 2008 in Daphne, AL. Born in Underwood, AL, he was 84 years old.
Bo flew combat missions against the Japanese from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. He authored a book about his first decade as a missionary published in 1990 by Broadman entitled You Can Take It With You. He finished the manuscript for another book entitled, Triumphant Abundant Life prior to his death.
To him, the last 30 years of his life spent as a full time missionary for the North American Mission Board, the Florida Baptist Convention, and the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention was the most satisfying part. Bo said Jesus Christ had blessed him as a layperson with joy beyond anything he ever could have dreamed. His role as a missionary took him across America from coast to coast and border to border for 18 years as a national leader for the program entitled "Continuing Witness Training". In that role, he taught pastors and church leaders how to teach their people to share the message of Jesus Christ as Savior.
He was the radio network voice of the Florida State Seminole football team from 1963 thru 1972 and was named Florida Sports Broadcaster of the Year in 1966 by his contemporaries. Dr. T. K. Weatherell, a player for FSU during Mitchell's broadcasting days and now president of the university said of Bo recently, "If it had not been for folks like you and a few others, FSU football would not be what it is today." He broadcast Pensacola High School football games for a decade and was a partner owning an interest in radio stations in Pensacola, Orlando and Bradenton, Florida as well as one in Augusta, Georgia.
Bo is preceded in death by his first wife, Mickey in 2004, after 55 years of marriage. He married his present wife, Donna Ruth Mitchell, in early 2008.
Survivors include his wife, Donna; 3 sons, Gary, Ron and his wife Jean and Brad Mitchell; 3 grandsons, Justin, Ben and his wife Lissi, Matthew and his wife Jackie, and a great grandson, Riley.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Fairhope, AL on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 6:30 PM. Leading the celebration will be Rev. David Burton, Evangelism Director of the Florida State Baptist Convention, and Rev. Brent Shaw of the First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Evangelism Program of First Baptist Church, 300 S. Section St., Fairhope, 36532. On line condolences may be made at hughesfuneralservice.com
Arrangements are by Hughes Cremation & Funeral Service, (251) 621-5890, Daphne, Alabama.