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Merlin Frank Mitchell, age 88, passed away August 4, 2016.
Merlin was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1928, and always enjoyed sharing his day with the other Saint.
Merlin was the son of Fred L. and Caroline May Mitchell. He was born in Westmont, Illinois, but spent most of his early years on a farm near Altamont, Kansas, where he gained a great appreciation for the outdoors and conservation.
He had three siblings; Fred and Katherine predeceased him and Tom survives him.
Merlin was a member of the greatest generation entering the Marine Corp at the age of 17 in July, 1945. He served in the Pacific Theater and was fighting in the islands when Japan surrendered. He was wounded in battle and was awarded the purple heart along with other ribbons and awards.
Following the war, he worked for the Gas Service Company and remained in the Reserve. When the Korean War started, he was called back to duty but this time as a Drill Sergeant at Camp Pendleton. Following the end of the Korean conflict, Merlin returned to the Gas Service Company in Parsons, Kansas. He worked his way up from ditch digger to sales and transferred to Joplin in 1960 to promote builder and contractor relationships. In that position he initiated and instructed the Top Chef Club where many community leaders found their way back to the kitchen. He was transferred back to Parsons as the manager. From Parsons he was transferred to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in charge of the Northeast Oklahoma region. He completed 43 years of service at the Gas Service Company when he retired in 1991.
Merlin was very active in numerous civic activities and organizations including Optimist club, Chamber of Commerce, the Diplomat Club, Rotary Club, conservation projects and the Boy Scouts. As Scoutmaster, he led his troop to the 1964 World's Fair where the troop demonstrated native dancing in costumes made in the native tradition by the scouts and dances taught by native Indians at Quapaw. Merlin also earned the highest award in scouting, the Silver Beaver, and was the district chairman in 1988.
Through his entire life he was an avid conservationist, hunter and fisherman taking several trips to Alaska and the lower 48 states as well as Canada. During one of his Alaska trips in 1998, he caught the largest halibut for the month of May.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Kathy, four children, Merlin Mitchell, Ron Mitchell, Linda Sheryl Williams and Marsha Owen and stepchildren Mark Lively and Melanie Lively Marshall, Greg Bone and Ann Bone. Miles Lively predeceased him. He is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, August 13th, at 11:00 A.M. at Bartlesville First Church on 4715 Price Road in Bartlesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Boy Scouts of America or Bartlesville First Church.
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