GEARY COUNTY—Firefighters and many others in Geary County are mourning the death of CSM (retired) James B. (Jim) Mitchell who died last week at his residence from injuries in a lawn mower accident, according to a social media report from the Geary County Rural Fire Department.
Jim was a 23-plus year active volunteer with the Geary County Rural Fire Station and was assigned to Station 10 that covered the west side of Milford lake to include Laurel Canyon.
In addition to responding on fire calls, Jim took pride and joy in making sure that Station 10 was clean and that Truck 110 was ready to respond on fire calls.
He was proud when earlier this month, there was an Open House at the new Station 10 and he was able to help show the station and the fire units off.
Visitation will be held on Thursday August 3rd from 5-7pm at the Johnson Funeral Home located at 203 N. Washington in Junction City.
Graveside services along with the Last Call will be on Friday at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery located east of Ogden, Kansas at 10.Friends of Geary County Rural Fire is one of the organizations for memorials.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are suggested to be given to The Greater Geary Community Foundation for the South Junction City Kiwanis Club, 922 Sunrise Hill Drive, Junction City, Kansas 66441 or to Friends of Geary County Rural Fire Department, 236 E. 8th Street, Junction City, Kansas 66441
Jim was born on October 25, 1939, in Harlan County, Kentucky the son of Charles Mitchell and Ruby Johnson.
Jim served in the United States Army from 1956 until his retirement in 1986. During his thirty years of service, he served three tours in Korea, two tours in both Vietnam and Germany, and a total of nine years at Fort Riley with the 1st Infantry Division. Following his retirement from military service, Jim continued his career as a civil servant for seventeen years at Fort Riley.
He was an active member of the South Junction City Kiwanis Club since 1986 and served as the President, Lt. Governor, and Master Instructor of the Kansas Kiwanis District. Jim was a volunteer member of the Geary County Rural Fire Department for over twenty three years.
He was also a member of the following organizations: Fort Riley Retirement Council, Kansas Armed Forces E-9 Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) where served as past president, life member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion Post #45 in Junction City, Kansas.
On October 2, 1990, he married Wally Gob in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Wally, of Junction City, Kansas; daughter, Kelly Mitchell of Copperas Cove, Texas; son, Patrick Miramontez and his wife Jane of Lenexa, Kansas; son, Mario Miramontez of Chapman, Kansas; six granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son James B. Mitchell, Jr.