Paul Andrews Mitchell

IN  LOVING  MEMORY  OF

Paul Andrews Mitchell

October 9, 1930 — January 13, 2018

CELEBRATION  OF  LIFE

Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

The Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fresno

2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno, California

SURVIVING  RELATIVES

Wife:  Madeleine Mitchell

Son:  Andy Michell

Son:  Jeff Mitchell

Daughter:  Susan McKoy

Son:  Daniel Mitchell

Grandson:  Michael Mitchell

Grandson:  Matthew Mitchell

Grandson:  Sean Mitchell

Grandson:  Jordan Mitchell

Grandson:  Ryan Mitchell

Granddaughter:  Sarah Magallenes

Grandson:  John Martinez

Grandson:  Christian Martinez

Grandson:  Andrew Mitchell

Great Grandchildren:  Five

Sister:  Monta Wagar

"Nature is ever at work

building and pulling down,

creating and destroying,

keeping everything whirling and flowing,

allowing no rest but in rhythmical motion,

chasing everything in endless song

out of one beautiful form into another."

John Muir

OBITUARY

Paul A. Mitchell, “The Voice” of Reedley High School and Reedley College athletics for many years, has passed at the age of 87. He was born October 9, 1930, to Dicky Leroy “Dick” Mitchell Jr. and Susan Beulah Andrews, in Albany, California, and left the Earth he loved so dearly on January 13, 2018. From 1944 to 1946 Paul attended Vacaville High School, he completed his high school years (1947-1949) at Reedley High School. Paul continued his education at U.C. Berkeley from 1950 to 1951, and then transferee to Fresno State where he earned his BA in Biology in 1952. In 1953 he received his teaching credential from Fresno State, and eventually obtained his Master’s Degree in Plant Taxonomy in 1962 from Fresno State University. Paul worked summers as a Park Ranger at D. L. Bliss State Park in the early 60’s to provide for his growing family, as well as continue work on his Master’s Thesis. Paul A. Mitchell, throughout his lifetime, was a biologist, botanist, geologist, statistician, and tactician, but above all, a true humanitarian. He had a teaching and coaching career at Reedley High School that spanned 38 years (1953-1991) and was the public-address announcer for Reedley College football & men’s basketball for 61 years. As a teacher, coach, and public-address announcer he touched many lives throughout his life, in his own, unique, inspirational way. Paul lived a full, healthy life, and was truly in his element, whether searching for a rare species of cacti, or keeping the scorebook for the Reedley College Basketball Team.  Paul did not slow down in his retirement years. An avid stamp collector, he used stamps as a tool to learn about the ever-changing geographic dynamics of this world. He was an active member of many organizations: The Fresno Cactus Club, The Sierra Club, The Fresno Stamp Club, The Friends of The Reedley Library, and many more. He is preceded in death by his first wife Joyce, and brothers Lee and Eddie. Paul is survived by his wife Madeleine, sister Monta, daughter Susan, son’s Andy, Jeff, and Dan; grand children Michael, Matthew, Sarah, John, Christian, Sean, Jordan, Ryan, and Andrew; and 5 great grandchildren. Paul’s Motto in his last few months was: “Onward & Upwards!  ‘Because it covers so much ground’”.

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