Raymond “Ray” Walter Mitchell, 91, a long-time resident of Nashville, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on November 22, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Ray was born in 1931 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he lived with his mother and sister while his father served as a United States Merchant Marine. The family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, in advance of Denmark being occupied by the German Nazis.
Ray was an extremely accomplished, successful aircraft mechanic, who proudly served his country in the United States Air Force (“USAF”) during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Ray retired from the USAF at the rank of Master Sargent after 22 years of service. He was a certified Aircraft Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems Technician. During his time in the USAF, Ray also worked part-time for the Sky Tours Hawaii, Little Rock Air Base Aero Club and Big Brother Aircraft in Nashville.
After retiring from the USAF, Ray continued his career in aviation working at the Middle Tennessee State University Aviation Department and Capital Airways. Ray subsequently began a second 20-year career as a teacher for the Metro Nashville Public Schools at McGavock High School, where he developed the curriculum and lesson plan for the first Aviation Maintenance Vocational program in Tennessee. In addition, Ray was the head coach for the McGavock High School golf team.
While teaching at McGavock, Ray obtained his Aircraft Inspectors license. After retiring from the Metro Nashville School system, he continued repairing and inspecting airplanes for over 10 years at Hunter Field, a general aviation airport in Columbia, Tennessee. Ray was recognized for a lifetime of accomplishments in aviation mechanics by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as a proud recipient of the “Charles Taylor Master Mechanic” award.
Ray loved his family and friends, and he was eternally devoted to his beloved Mary “Darling”. The joy of Ray’s life was spending 64 years of marriage with his dear wife. They met at a Knights of Columbus dance while stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tennessee. They loved to dance and travel to see their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray lived a rich life filled with his hobbies, which included: fishing, hunting, camping, golf, and building and flying radio-controlled model planes. He was also a regular volunteer at the Ladies of Charity Thrift Shop. He had a very blessed life, and in the end, he was ready to go be with Mary Catherine.
Ray is preceded in death by his mother, Else Vera Bachmann, of Copenhagen, Denmark, and his father, Walter Francis Mitchell, of Longdale, Virginia; and his wife of 64 years, Mary Catherine Mitchell, of Nashville, Tennessee.
Ray is survived by his beloved sister, Dolores (Sue) Weissberg of Annapolis, MD; his loving children: Thomas W. (Melissa) Mitchell of Greensboro, NC; Catherine A. (Michael) Williams of Acworth, GA; Barbara J. (Tom) Sage of Readyville, TN; William P. (Libby) Mitchell of Nashville, TN; and Robert A. (Brendie) Mitchell of Monteagle, TN; grandchildren: Mitchell, Joell, Emma (Philip), Kate, Matthew, Nathan, Landry, Ben, Shae (Taylor) and Parris; and great-grandchildren, Edie and Thomas.
Visitation will be at the Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 3-6 p.m. The Rosary will be said at 2:30 p.m. at Hickory Chapel. Visitation will also be at St. Edward Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022, prior to Mass. https://www.woodbinefuneralhome.com
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Edward Catholic Church, 188 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN, Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Interment to follow at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Mitchell Keeling, Joell Keeling, Tom Sage, Michael Williams, Philip Kuntz and Bob Warden.
In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: The Ladies of Charity, Nashville Chapter.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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