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Paul Francis Mitchell III (Mitch), age 78, left this world for his next adventure on May 20, 2023, surrounded by four of his children and daughterin- law at the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital following an illness.
He was born on June 29, 1944, in Tampa, Florida, to Clarisse Snow Mitchell and Paul Francis Mitchell Jr.
Mr. Mitchell served in the U.S. Army from February 1964 to June 1965, when he was honorably discharged after sustaining injuries in a training exercise. A mostly self-taught artist, he identified as a surrealist and proudly considered himself a “gate-crasher” - one of the many folk artists contributing to the American fine art landscape. He credited much of his knowledge about art to his mentor, Dr. Carl F. Duke, former head of visual arts at Pensacola State College.
When asked to create an artist statement in 2022, Mr. Mitchell said, “I am compelled to paint and I have to answer that. When I try to dismiss it, it becomes overwhelming so I cannot ignore it. At the heart of my work is human psychology. It is full of metaphors and symbols. I’m compelled to open up and reveal what I see. The common thread is the human tie to nature. We will always take nature with us, in our DNA, in our minds, and in our longings, wherever we go among the stars.”
Mr. Mitchell called many places home over the years: Charlotte and Kernersville, N.C., Pensacola, Fla., San Antonio, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Lexington, Chicago, Ill., and Talking Rock, Ga. For the last five years of his life, he lived happily in his wee cottage in Lexington, near three of his daughters.
Often loquacious, Mr. Mitchell could talk for hours on a single subject. His interests included history, religion, the Gaelic language, quantum physics, astronomy, and space exploration. He loved to read and continued to discover new favorite works of literature late in life, including the novels of Jane Austen, to the delight of his daughters. He was an avid dancer, hiking enthusiast, aspiring Errol Flynn-style adventurer, and music lover - especially Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He appreciated a sharp suit and a great hat, and enjoyed smoking his daily pipe.
To the end, he retained his sense of humor and (when he felt especially silly) the habit of putting on a British accent in loving imitation of two of his comedic favorites, John Cleese and Eric Idle. Above all, Mr. Mitchell was most expressive when talking about his love for his children, and the companionship of the many cats and dogs he cared for throughout his life.
He is survived by his children, Jennifer Anne Mitchell, Liam Spencer Buddhanon (and his wife Janet Maria Buddhanon), Amenie C. Mitchell (and her partner Chris Bruno), Megan Greer Mitchell (and her partner Shawn Michael Bartley), Raennah Lorne Mitchell (and her husband Stevan Taylor Michaels); grandchildren, Sydney Piper Buddhanon, Kai Montez Bazain, Harper Corwyn Mitchell- Sheedy, Giovanni Azari Bazain, Julian Spencer Buddhanon, Charlee Amenah, Jane Buddhanon, Willow Bodaway Bartley; brother, Steven Bradley Mitchell; and cats, Sweetpea (aka Precious), and Lily.
Mr. Mitchell’s remains will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, followed by a celebration of life, on June 24 beginning at 11 a.m.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rockbridge County SPCA. N-G
