Joseph Robert Mitchell

Joseph Robert "J.R." Mitchell, 87, of Gravette, Ark., passed away Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born June 24, 1925, in Sentinel, Okla., to Benjamin F. Mitchell and Mary Busby Mitchell. He proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII, and was stationed on the USS Shangri La, serving in the South Pacific, Guam, Tinian and the Mariana Islands. He worked as a diesel mechanic in Plainview, Texas, for many years before moving to Carlsbad, N.M., where he worked and retired from Mississippi Chemical Company. In 1984, he and wife, Ruth, purchased a farm in Vaughn, Ark., to be near their children. They farmed and raised cattle until 2004 when they moved to Gravette. J.R. gave his heart to the Lord during the Navy and walked with Him throughout his life. He was an active, faithful member of First Christian Church of Gravette. He was preceded in death by his parents, and six brothers and sisters. J.R. is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Young Mitchell; three daughters, Gean Munger and husband, Dave, of Lakewood, Colo., Judy Stone of Fayetteville, Joann Mitchell Mitchell and husband, Terry, of Centerton, Ark.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a host of family and wonderful friends. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Terry Longan and Lynn Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Barron Cemetery near Vaughn, with full military honors provided by the American Legion Post #100. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life, 900 Verdant, Bentonville, AR 72712; or First Christian Church of Gravette, Building Fund, 301 1st Ave., Gravette, AR 72736; or Healing Hands of Mercy, www.healinghandsmercymassage.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be expressed or memories shared at stockdalefuneral.com.