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B. Thomas (Tom) Mitchell died July 20, 2003 after surprising us with his strength and tenacity for over three years. On October 4, 1929 Tom was born to Nora May Pipe and Thomas H. Mitchell in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. He proudly volunteered in Canada's Princess Patricia's Light Infantry and fought in the Korean War. He was quite a celebrity as he made it in front of journalists' cameras many times and had his picture published in the newspaper to be clipped out and saved by a nervous and proud mother. He was brave, energetic, and stubborn; always first to scout out the front lines, always willing to help others, always fighting hard for what he believed in. In 1957, he and his wife Dot relocated their family to Albuquerque and started working for his father Thomas at Mitchell's Sewing and Vacuum Center. Soon they owned the store and continued to own and operate it for over 40 years. He was a great jokester who loved to talk to people and make them laugh as he prided himself on providing a great service to them. Always a nature lover, in his younger years he was an avid hiker, camper, and fisherman who made sure that his family grew closer through their adventures, of which they have many hilarious stories to tell. As he got older, he turned his love of the outdoors loose on his gardens and lawns, spending hours watering, feeding, and pruning; often digging up plants and trees so he could enjoy planting new ones. He loved his wife dearly; always eager to give her beautiful and useful things just to see her happy. He loved his children; making sure they grew up with values and the knowledge they needed to get by in this world, whether they wanted it or not. He loved his granddaughters; showing his love with jokes and teasing mixed with looks of a love that was true and deep even if not often expressed. He was funny, tough, sweet, stubborn, and most of all, loved. He will be remembered and loved by his wife of over 50 years, Dot Mitchell; his children Patti Bell, and her companion Rey Madueno, Debbie Mitchell-Morrow, Cindy Mitchell-Martinez, Tom Mitchell, and his wife Donna Mitchell; his granddaughters Pilar Martinez and Kim Morrow, and fiancÈ Eric Bustamante; his younger brother Al Mitchell; his two son-in-laws, Doug Morrow and Raul Martinez; and many other family members, friends, and acquaintances who have loved him and been touched by him for the last 73 years. A Memorial for Tom is planned for Friday, July 25, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Sunrise Funeral 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 821-0010. In lieu of flowers, please choose to support the following charities: American Stroke Association PO Box 90790 Alb. NM 87199 or American Cancer Society 5800 Lomas Blvd. NE Alb. NM 87110
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