James Lithgow Mitchell, 77

James Lithgow Mitchell passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at his home in Kalispell. He was born Jan. 31, 1932, in Lake Forest, Ill., to James L. and Florence Folds Mitchell. As a young boy his family moved to Rye, N.Y. He attended Kent School in Kent, Conn., and later graduated from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., where he met his wife of 57 years, Caroline. After five years of managing a Ben Franklin Store in St. Petersburg, Fla., with his father, he moved his family to Kalispell in 1957, where he owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store in the B & B Shopping Center for 20 years. Soon after, he was hired by Al Rierson and became a deputy and later a detective for the Flathead County Sheriff's Department. He was instrumental in starting Crime Stoppers, and in 1987 he was selected as the Crime Prevention Officer of the Year for Montana by the State Crime Prevention Association. His voice was often heard on the radio giving their reports. He was active with the SWAT Team, and also a licensed polygraph operator. He served on the board of the Flathead Youth Home for several years. He truly loved his work and was forced to retire in 1995 due to cancer. After retirement, Jim enjoyed teaching swimming to many local school children at the Second Wind and The Summit. He had many passions in life. Music was one of his favorites. He was proficient on the violin, kept a harmonica in his pocket, and entertained all, as many will remember. He had a remarkable voice and performed in Man of La Mancha and My Fair Lady, the first two musicals presented by Flathead Valley Community College. He also sang in Oklahoma. For many years he sang in the choir at Christ Church Episcopal. Jim s voice was often heard announcing horse shows around the valley, most recently the draft horse shows at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. His love of horses prompted him to become an organizer of many wagon train trips on the Indian reservation in Ronan. His white Percheron team was driven by him in countless Christmas and fair parades. He and Caroline spent many happy times riding in the Bob Marshall and hiking in Glacier National Park. He organized many float trips with friends down the South Fork River. Skiing on Big Mountain in early years, then at Blacktail Mountain, was another pleasure he and Caroline enjoyed with friends and family. Jim was a member of the Eagles and the Kalispell Elks Lodge. He was always eager to help a friend. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Charles F. Mitchell. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, and daughter, Kimberly, at the family home; his son, Charles, and Cathy Mitchell, of Nine Mile Falls, Wash.; his daughter, Linn, and Jonathon Morse, of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Tucson, Ariz.; and his grandsons, James and Charles Mitchell. He is also survived by his sister, Linn Bayne, of Questa, N.M.; a nephew, Jeffery Mack; and numerous cousins. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Goodman and his staff for their constant care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home Options Hospice whose care was deeply felt and appreciated. There will be a celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., in Kalispell, with a reception following at the Elks Lodge, 1820 U.S. 93 South, Kalispell.