Gene D. Mitchell of Hermiston died on May 5, 2019 in Hermiston at the age of 89.
He was born on Aug. 28, 1929 in Abraham, Utah to Melvin and Frances Tolbert Mitchell.
Gene was raised in Abraham and later in Delta, Utah. He was united in marriage to Bonnie L. Belliston on Oct. 3, 1951 in Ely, Nev. He served in the United States Army in the Korean War until his honorable discharge. He returned to Utah and went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a lineman and later as a signalman. They lived in Nampa, Idaho and Kennewick, Wash. before settling in Hermiston in 1963, where they had lived since.
Gene was a longtime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed rodeo, horse racing, baseball (avid Mariners fan), fishing, gardening, dancing, throwing horse shoes, bowling and going to the Oregon coast. Gene cherished spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Townsend, Lake Stevens, Wash; son, Steve Mitchell, Kennewick, Wash.; brother, David Mitchell, Grants, N.M.; 10 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Mitchell in 2012; son, Rick Mitchell; daughter, Deborah Mitchell; grandson, Shaun Mitchell; his parents; and siblings, Gerald, Delbert, Berdene, Lawana, Vernon and Ella Mae.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1035 S.E. Ninth St., Hermiston.
Burial with military honors will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Gene with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
