Raymond Mitchell Jr., 88, Shirley Mitchell, 85

Raymond passed away peacefully June 4, 2023. His wife and best friend, Shirley, who was unable to continue to live on without her life partner passed, away peacefully June 11, 2023. Raymond, who was called “Mitch” by his friends, was born to Raymond Sr. and Ida Mitchell on April 15, 1935, in Tulsa, Okla. Shirley was born to Zachariah and Vera Ham on Aug. 6, 1937. Both of their families moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, when they were very young. Raymond and Shirley went to the same grade and high school together in Coeur d’Alene.

Ray left Coeur d’Alene High School to join the Army at 17 years old. His rank was a Sergeant and he served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1955. Upon discharge, he served in the Army Reserves for several years. He met up with Shirley after her high school graduation. They dated and soon were married. Shirley worked at Tony’s as a server and with Dr. Jack Rice as a dental assistant before starting their family. They first lived in Dalton Gardens and then moved to Coeur d’Alene. They started a business and raised their family of three daughters together for the next 67 years.

Ray leased a Conoco gas station on Fourth and Harrison, where he worked. After several years, Ray left the gas station to go into partnership with Glen and Margie Waddell to run Fourth Street Auto Parts and Paint. Eventually, Ray and Shirley bought them out and they ran the business together for the next 40 years. Ray took care of the parts and paint side and Shirley was the bookkeeper. Their daughters worked their first jobs at the Parts House, along with several of the grandchildren.

Ray and Shirley did everything together along with their three daughters and then later on with their grandchildren. They were involved in many indoor and outdoor activities and belonged to Kootenai County Saddle Club. The CDA Press did an article on their family about how they raised and broke horses, then started a Gymkhana once a month on Saturdays at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds for adults and kids to compete in. Their daughters made ribbons to give out to the winning participants. They lived their life to the fullest and anyone who knew them understood they were truly each other’s soul mates and best friends. Their family was everything to them. They will be extremely missed by their friends and family.

They are preceded in death by their parents; Shirley’s sister, Bobbie Goings; and nephew John Goings.

They leave behind their three daughters from Coeur d'Alene; Cindy (Bob) Lowry, Aimee Mitchell and Carrie (Greg) Gray; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Lowry, Lindsay (Tony) Rude, Erik (Shellie) Lamb, Katie (Eric) Scott, Jennifer Mitchell, Justine Gray and Jacob Gray; 13 great-grandchildren, Taylor and Ben Lowry, Sadie Annotti, Juliana, Ella, Mila and Eli Rude, Kaydence and Ethan Lamb, Kayson Lorenzana Dylann, Jace and Jax Scott; a niece, Laura Rhodes, and two nephews, Grant Webly and David Webly.

Thank you, Dad and Mom, for all you’ve given and done for us. We love you and know you will be reunited in Heaven. The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House. Ray and Shirley requested no services. A private family celebration of life is planned for a future date. Please visit their online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.