Gene T. "Pete" Mitchell, USAF,  Korean War Veteran and member of the American Legion and Rotary, as well as past president of the Morgan County Cattlemen's Association, passed away on May 2, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, CO while holding the hand of Rosa, his wife of nearly 70 years.

A lifelong resident of Brush, CO, Pete was born on November 28, 1929, to Merle and Laura Mitchell.  He graduated from Brush High School and went on to study electrical engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  He joined the United States Air Force and after pilot training, was stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA where he met and married the love of his life, the former Rosa Margaret Jones of Sylvester, GA.

They moved to Otis AFB, MA where Pete flew F-89 Scorpion and F-94 Starfire all-weather interceptors with the 58 ^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flying missions for the Air Defense Command.  He was honorably discharged in 1956, and they returned to the family ranch in his hometown of Brush, Colorado.  He operated a successful ranching operation and was an early adopter of solar well pumps utilizing center pivot irrigation, and the practice of rotational grazing among other innovations.

Pete loved ranching, horseback riding, his father's racehorses, weekly poker games and daily coffee at the LEI with his friends, skiing, golf, serving as a lifelong member and Elder at Rankin Presbyterian Church, spending time with his kids and grandkids, and his hometown of Brush. But more than anything, he loved his wife of nearly 70 years and constant companion and partner, Rosa.

Pete/"Pops"/"Papa Pete"/Dad will be deeply missed by Rosa and his four children: Pamela Mitchell Almand (Amos) of Atlantic Beach, FL; Patricia Margaret Mitchell of Denver, CO; Gene Thomas Mitchell, Jr. (Carolyn) of Cleburne, TX; and Jan Mitchell Anderson (John) of Wayzata, MN; and by five grandchildren (Courtney, Mackenzie, Alex, Cameron, and Erin) and six great-grandchildren. Pete will be returning home to his beloved Brush, Colorado, after a life well-lived.

A service will be held at Rankin Presbyterian Church at 420 Clayton Street in Brush on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., followed by a brief graveside service and a reception at the church afterward.

For additional information please contact Heer Mortuaries & Crematory in Brush, (970) 842-2821. In lieu of flowers, since Pete and Rosa have been lifelong members of Rankin Presbyterian Church, 420 Clayton St. Brush, CO 80723, donations to the church in his memory would be appreciated. Alternatively, Pete and Rosa have had a special place in their hearts for children in need, so donations in lieu of flowers could also be sent to Brush School District C/O Student Assistance Fund, 527 Industrial Park Rd., Brush, CO 80723.