Gile Hugh Mitchell

Gile H. Mitchell, age 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Gile was born in Hannaford, North Dakota on January 9, 1931. He moved to Lima, Montana with his parents Fred and Adelaide and sister Nola when he was ten. After graduating from Lima High School, he returned to North Dakota where he attended two years of college. He was drafted into the Army in July 1951 and became a Sergent in the 45th Division, Signal Company. He shipped out in January 1952 and trained at a radio school in Japan as an Electrical Maintenance Operator of a Radio Teletype Team that then served in Korea. He was honorably discharged in June 1953.

Gile met Ann Carroll of Dillon, Montana in 1951 while on leave after basic training. Following his military service, he returned to Dillon and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Montana College in 1957. Gile and Ann were married in Dillon on August 24, 1957, and moved to Pocatello, Idaho where Gile worked as a Health Physicist for Phillips Chemical at the Atomic Energy Plant near Arco, Idaho. They moved to Idaho Falls in May 1958 and Gile continued to work at the Arco Plant.

While in Idaho Falls, their daughter Debora (1958) and son Gregory (1959) were born. They returned to Dillon in January 1960 and welcomed their sons Jeffrey (1960), Bradley (1961), and Timothy (1963) to the family. Together, Gile and Ann built a warm and busy household, not to mention a fun destination for the neighborhood kids.

Gile initially worked for Frank Madden (Ann’s Uncle) at the Andrus Fountain Bar and subsequently bought the business. But in August 1961 the Beaverhead County High School Board of Trustees asked Gile to teach math and science for the upcoming year, and he ultimately remained for the next 25 years. In 1967, he received a master’s degree and became the Assistant Principal at BCHS. In 1970 he received his administration credential from the University of Montana in Missoula and served as the Principal/Superintendent at BCHS until retirement in 1986.

Gile became active in Dillon community groups and activities beginning in 1960, including the Dillon Jaycees (received the 2020 Dillon Jaycee Distinguished Service Award), Elks, American Legion, and Kiwanis, was a Key Club advisor, and advisor and counselor for American Legion Boys State. He joined the Jackson VFW in 1960 which was named after his father-in-law, Bill Carroll. Gile also served on the Beaverhead Golf Course Board for several years in the 1980’s and served on the Dillon Credit Union Board.

Upon retirement, Gile and Ann moved to Helena where he worked for the State of Montana Office of Public Instruction. They returned to Dillon in 1990 where he became an advisor and then Director of Student Teachers at the University of Montana Western until 1999. He returned to BCHS for a final year as Superintendent for the 1999–2000 school year. Gile enjoyed retirement in Dillon and kept busy delivering medical equipment throughout Dillon and served in the Color Guard and Gun Salute Squad for funerals for veterans. He moved to Rosenberg, Texas in 2022 to live with Brad and to be closer to Debbie and Tim.

Gile and Ann were lifelong bridge players and always opened their door to visitors for a shared cocktail or meal. Gile lived life to the fullest and was always on the go. He loved people and centered his life around being in the company of family and friends. As an exceptional host and gregarious entertainer, he filled his life with good times and laughter. He was a lifelong teacher and learner with a contagious sense of humor.

Gile is survived by daughter Debbie Mitchell, son Brad Mitchell, son Tim (Laura) Mitchell, and daughter-in-law Gloria Mitchell. He is also survived by eight grandchildren Brian (Maureen) Hanna, Stephanie (Doug) Holstein, Alexa (Luke) MacMillan, Emeree (Nick) Allison, Michael and Nicholas Mitchell, and Amanda and Bryce Mitchell, and three great-grandchildren, Zell and Moxie Holstein and Adley Hanna, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann Mitchell, sons Greg Mitchell and Jeff Mitchell, and sister Nola and brother-in-law Stanford Empey.