Obituary of Arnold Wayne Mitchell

Arnold (Tommy) Wayne Mitchell of Calhan, Colorado passed away at the age of 89 at his home on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022. Tommy was born in Weir, Kansas on May 8th, 1933 to Odes and Elsie (Hitchcock) Mitchell. Tommy was the 2nd of 7 children, Arthur (Ida), Gary (Joan), Joyce Trojanovich (Larry), Dixie Bevans (Arnie), Terry (Karen), and Marla Ridings (Cliff). He graduated from Calhan Union High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army until 1955 at which point he entered the Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on April 26, 1961. Tommy was married in Hugo, Colorado to Mary Jo (Gotto) on November 11, 1956. Together, they had three children; Karen, Sheryl and Clinton. The family relocated to Aurora in 1961. He was hired on the Aurora Fire Department in 1962 and held positions of Fire Fighter and Lieutenant. The family returned to Calhan in 1972 onto his ranch where he raised cattle. He continued to work for the Aurora Fire Department and retired in 1986 after 24 years of service. He then continued to ranch until the age of 82. Tommy accepted Christ as his Savior in 2002 and was baptized at Living Word Community Church. He married Karen (Andrews Thompson) in Calhan June 3rd, 2007. Tommy is survived by his wife Karen, his children Karen Ernst (Bruce), Sheryl Hunt (Mark), Clint (Lorie), Sid Thompson (Patti), and Cyndi Waldman (Jerry); His grandchildren Donovan(Jamie), Joe (Ashlee), Micheal Mitchell, Jesse (Kayla), Kris Ernst (LaRae), Lauren Krause (Jason), Kaitlin Hunt; His great-grandchildren Jordon, Sadie, Reagan, Paisley Mitchell, Kody Krause and Maverick, Kaelinn, Kennedy, Paxton Ernst; His siblings Gary, Terry and Marla. He is proceeded in death by his parents Odes and Elsie; His wife Mary Jo; His siblings Arthur, Joyce and Dixie. Services will be held at Living Word Community Church in Calhan on Thursday, August 11th. The Public Viewing will begin at 9:30am and the Service to follow at 10:30am. The Service will be performed by Pastor Rick Cofer. Pallbearers are Donovan Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell, Micheal Mitchell, Jesse Ernst , Ty Mitchell and Dru Ridings. Honorary Pallbearers are Gary Mitchell, Terry Mitchell, Mark Hunt , Bruce Ernst, Jason Krause and Sid Thompson. The Burial will immediately follow the service at the Calhan Cemetery. Please make Memorial Donations in Tommy’s name to the Calhan Fire Protection District at 725 4th St. Calhan, CO 80808 “In the end, it’s not the years of your life that count. It’s the life in your years” -Abraham Lincoln.