DANIEL MITCHEL

1945-2024

Daniel Mitchel of Orland, CA passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2024. Dan was born on April 16, 1945 in Yuba City, CA. He graduated Yuba City High School in 1963, where he was very active in the Future Farmers of America. After high school, he married his first wife Suzanne Frye of Yuba City, later divorced in 1966. Dan worked for a farm chemical company for two years after high school before enlisting in the Army. He served as a light vehicle driver, attending basic and advanced individual training at Fort Ord, CA, and then stationed in Bamberg, Germany. Dan was transferred to the 294th Field Artillery Battalion that was activated in Fort Sill, OK, and then deployed to Dong Ha, Republic of Viet Nam from 1966-1967.

After his service in the Army, Dan attended Fresno State studying Agricultural Business, where he met and married Linda Bishel in 1971. Dan moved back to Yuba City to farm with his father, growing almonds, walnuts, peaches, and other crops. In 1974, he started a farm management company, overseeing 2,000 acres of farmland. In 1977, Dan and his family moved to Chico and continued managing ranches in four counties. In 2002, Dan sold his business and worked as a farm manager in both California and Nevada until he was hired to manage Corning Orchards in 2013.

Dan was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Dan also played softball much of his adult life including through CARD, and competitive tournament teams. As the lead pitcher for the Chico-based Grumpy Old Men traveling team, they placed second in the Senior World Games in the late 1990s. He was very active in the Nord-Cana 4-H program where his youngest children were members. He served as the Adult Leader for the swine project for several years, where he mentored local youth. Dan was also a volunteer livestock organizer for the Junior Livestock Auction at the Silver Dollar Fair as well as a member of the Silver Dollar Auction Buyers Committee for over ten years. Preceding Dan in death were his loving wife of 47 years Linda and brother Pat Mitchel of White, SD. He is survived by brother Michael Mitchel of Spring Creek, NV, daughters Michelle Carr of Weiser, ID, and Karla Mitchel of Chico, CA, son Colonel John Mitchel of Carlisle, PA, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.