Obituary of Lew Thomas Mitchell

Lew Thomas Mitchell was born August 24, 1946, in Olympia, Washington, where he passed away October 13, 2020, at the age of 74.  He is the son of John R. and Marion H. Mitchell.  Tom attended Boston Harbor Grade School, North Thurston High School, and Olympia High School in his senior year. 

In November 1965, Tom joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in England.  While in England, he met and married Josephine Mary Young.  Upon returning to the United States, he was stationed in North Carolina. After his military discharge in 1969, they moved back to Washington State.  They later divorced, and Tom married Debra Simpson, with whom he had a daughter, Amy.  Later, Tom and Debra divorced.

Tom was employed at the State of Washington, Department of General Administration.  He then obtained his commercial driver’s license and drove long haul across the United States. 

After his retirement, he loved working on vehicles for other people.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Amy, and her husband, Will Hersman; grandson, Jesse Hersman; his sisters, Lottie Elsos of Aberdeen, Washington; half sister, Patty Norenberg of Waldport, Oregon; brothers, George K. Mitchell Sr. of Olympia and John W. Mitchell of Hemet, California; and three nieces and two nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, John R. Mitchell (1988); and mother, Marion H. Oehlerich (2005).

A graveside service will be held Friday, October 30, 2020, 1:30 p.m. at Odd Fellows Memorial Park, 3802 Cleveland Ave.SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.  Masks are mandatory, with social distancing required.

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