Charles G. Mitchell

Charles “Chuck” Gerard Mitchell, 77, passed away on July 11, 2021 at his home in Visalia, California. He was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing. Charles was born on March 25, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward and Betty Mitchell. Charles graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1962 and attended Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois for a brief period. In 1965 he enlisted in the NAVCAD program to become a naval aviator, receiving his navy wings in December of 1966. Later that same month, on December 26th, he married the former Leeni Elizabeth Loyal in New Orleans, Louisiana. They celebrated 54 years of marriage this past December. Charles spent the next 10 years as a naval aviator, stationed in Lemoore, California, Alameda, California, and Kingsville, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Chapman University while he was stationed in Lemoore. After leaving the military in 1976, he flew for Swift Airlines out of San Luis Obispo, California, and then Trans World Airlines, and finally retired as a captain from American Airlines in 2004. Following retirement, he worked as a realtor for Century 21 Jordan Link in Visalia, California. His greatest joys in life, other than flying, were his family and television. He was most proud of his son, Scott, and made sure everyone he knew was told the story of how President George H W Bush (Bush 41) handed Scott his diploma from West Point. Anyone who knew him also knew that he loved television and it was always his entertainment medium of choice, but he was always incredibly supportive of his wife’s community theater involvement with the Visalia Players, and was always willing to help wherever he was needed, even when rehearsals for a show ended up in his living room during football season. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Dr. Edward John Mitchell, Jr. (PhD). He is survived by his wife Leeni of Visalia, California, his son COL Charles Scott Mitchell, USA, retired (wife LTC Susan Mitchell, USA retired), three grandsons Jake, Will, and Ryan Mitchell all of Fairfax, Virginia, sister Elizabeth Clevenger of Fairfax, Virginia, brother William Mitchell (wife Polly) of Huntsville, North Carolina, “adopted” daughter Michelle West Kennedy of Madera, California, and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. A service of remembrance will be held at St Paul’s School chapel, 6101 W Goshen Avenue, in Visalia, California on August 21, 2021, at 4:00 PM, Father Robert Longbottom, presiding. A reception immediately following the service will be held at the home of Leeni Mitchell, 4217 W Elowin Ct, Visalia California. Those wishing to remember Charles in a special way may make gifts in his memory to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2918 W Main, Visalia, CA 93291 or to the Visalia Players, PO Box 1362, Visalia, CA 93279. Both organizations have current building funds in need of assistance.