Thomas J. Mitchell was born May 15, 1927 in Cobb, KY to Fay T. Mitchell and Virgie I. Thomas. He passed away unexpectedly April 10, 2012 in Avon Park, FL. He was a devoted husband, loving fatherand a great friend to all. Tom moved to Detroit, MI in 1947 to work for Ford Motor Company where he became a tool-and-die maker at the Rouge Plant. He retired from Ford Motor in 1984. In 1949, he married his high-school sweetheart, Ruby Janell Clayton, and they remained married for over 62 years. After retirement, they moved from Allen Park to Canadian Lakes in Mecosta County, MI, then built a home in Sun 'N Lakes, FL and divided their time between the two. He was an avid golfer, known by all for his long drives, and a sports lover, in particular the MSU Spartans and Detroit's Lions and Tigers. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Reed City. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Janell Mitchell, son Tom (Laurie) of Laingsburg, daughter Pat Henderson (Bob), of Colorado Springs, CO, 4 granddaughters, Nizhoni Dawn (Jeremy Colwell) and Cody Henderson and Michelle (fiance Anthony Johnson) and Lea-Janell Mitchell, and many loved nieces and nephews. He made friends wherever he went, and truly made the most out of life. Funeral Services will take place 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15th at the Northland United Methodist, 6842 Northland Drive, Stanwood, MI. Visitations are Saturday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. at the Daggett~Gilbert Funeral Home, 13985 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI. Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's name to the Canadian Lakes Gift and Memorial Fund, 10690 Pierce Rd., Canadian Lakes, MI 49346 or to the Northland United Methodist Church, 6842 Northland Drive, Stanwood, MI 49346 A private family interment will be held Monday, April 16th at Reed Cemetery, Laingsburg, MI.