Ronald “Ron” Eugene Mitchell, 75, of Broadwater, Nebraska passed away at his home on the evening of January 1, 2022 after a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer. His Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel with Vonnie Brown officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the Bridgeport Memorial Chapel facebook page. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery at Broadwater. Per his request there will be no visitation and the casket will be closed. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com for the Mitchell family.
Ron was born December 3, 1946 at Alliance, Nebraska, the third child of Raymond and Inez (Alber) Mitchell. Ron grew up on a farm north of Bridgeport, attended the Northport Elementary School and then attended Bridgeport High School graduating with the class of 1965. He lived in Bridgeport, Denver, Scottsbluff/Gering before finally settling in Broadwater in 1996.
He had an extensive employment history, working at the Rainbow Café owned by his parents, working in the hay fields, Johnny Herzog’s gas and truck station, driving truck hauling straw and hay, Construction dump truck driver, gas pipeline in Bridgeport and the Egging Co. In 1967 he bought the Conoco gas station in Bridgeport, later worked at loading houses in Denver, did custom hay work, worked for the Department of Roads, City of Bridgeport, Western Engineering, Consolidated Food Truck Driving hauling groceries, and hauled beets. In 1982 he bought his own truck and drove over the road covering the western half of Canada and the USA. After selling his truck in 1989, he worked at Western Engineering Construction, and was a fertilizer tank driver for Coop. In 1997 he began his own business, Mitchell’s Guns and Ammo, and converted an old church into his store front. Along with his sons he continued this occupation until his death.
Ron was a member of FFA, Bridgeport Fire Department, Eagles, and the Bridgeport Jaycees where he held the office of President and State Vice President. He enjoyed tearing up the roads in high school with his buddies and drag racing with his brother Dennis, winning trophies. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. But most of all loved being ornery with his grandkids, ending every visit with “See ya in the movies.”
He is survived by his children: Carrie (David) Wiggins, R. Corey Mitchell, and Justin (Jennifer) Mitchell all of Broadwater, and Matthew (Ila) Mitchell of Dalton; grandchildren, Melanie, Ty and Nathan Mitchell, Dawson and Maxson Wiggins, Jenna, Kaylee and Alyssa Mitchell and Madilynn Mitchell, Alexis Vergil, AnaLisia and Ayden Esparza; siblings: Martha (Cody) Houston of Bridgeport, Tom (Kathy) Mitchell of Crawford, Rose (Rudy) Sides, and Bruce Mitchell; sisters-in-law Linda Mitchell and Delia Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis and infant grandson Cameron Wiggins.