Dr. Howard Leslie Mitchell of Bristow
September 22, 1936 – December 31, 2016
Dr. Howard Leslie Mitchell (Doc) was born on September 22, 1936 to Howard and Agnes (Spaulding) Mitchell on September 22, 1936 in Whiteville, N.C. He spent his early years in “the country” and teenage years in Fayetteville, NC with his mother and stepfather, William Richard Hill. He fervently loved his family, laughed often with his many friends and provided compassionate veterinary care in Bristow. He departed this life on December 31, 2016 at the age of eighty.
Dr. Mitchell graduated from E.E. Smith Senior High in Fayetteville, NC. He studied veterinary medicine at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1960. While in college, he was captivated by a beautiful young woman, Edna Moore. They were married on December 17, 1960. He worked for Dr. John Montgomery in 1961. Howard and Edna later made Bristow their home in 1962. Edna preceded him in death in July 2016. He founded Bristow Veterinary Hospital in 1962 and practiced there until health issues prevailed in 2013. Doc was one of the first vets to practice acupuncture in the United States and founded the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. He was an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association.
Friends have commented that Doc lived a life time for two or three people. He was the loving father to his son, William Howard (Kim Alison) and daughter, Kimmi Michelle (Bruce Edwin). His whole world stopped when his kids or grandchildren needed his attention. His grand children, Lincoln and Logan Mitchell and Truman Natt were his greatest joy. Many pleasurable moments were spent watching Lincoln play tennis, Logan ride jumping horses, and Truman play baseball. He was also adept at regaling stories and giving advice to his younger sister, Carrietta Adkins. Never short of new passions and hobbies, Doc avidly raced horses, hunted raccoons, traded day stocks, and pursued the deal of the day.
Doc was a good and faithful servant of God. As an active member of Bristow Presbyterian Church, he served as an Elder and was a trailblazer in integrating the church. He thought that community service should be a fundamental part of the church’s mission and diligently worked to help his church incorporate this goal. His quiet generosity to numerous individuals is his legacy. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Harry’s Blessings in a back pack or the Bristow Presbyterian Church.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00PM, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Freeland Center with Reverend Rebecca Morad officiating.
