George Mitchell

Ronan — George Alfred Mitchell, 79, died in Polson on May 19, 2024, due to an extended illness. He was born in St. Ignatius on March 28, 1945, to Jane Whitworth Mitchell and Isadore Jackson Mitchell. He left us just like he lived, unapologetically on his own terms.

His favorite things were Honeydew, the love of his life, cars, cars and cars…racing, hunting and road trips. Racing played a huge part of his life even after he was no longer physically able to drive.

He joined the pit crew for two separate Webster Race Teams, first was with Bill Webster and then later with Donnie Webster.  

George married Delores “Charlie” Parker in 1965 and together they had Dennis Parker (Bryce Parker and Michael Parker) and Shelly Parker (Darrell Parker and Destini Parker). He later had Michelle Mitchell (Kimberly Burke and Karli Burke) and Ron Mitchell (Bethany Kirwan, Derrike BigSam and Dale BigSam) with Nina Swimmer. In 1989, George and Honeydew found each other and with her came her kids from a previous marriage, Shane Andersen (Jessica, Zachary and Kenny), Shad and Tricia Andersen (Jaycee, Shad, Kelton and Bennan), Chancey and Stewart Fladager (Koda, Shy, Morgan, Amy and Sophia) George and Honeydew had SO many amazing adventures together including their favorite things to do bowling, shooting pool, playing horseshoes, soaking at Hot Springs, attending stock car and drag races and they LOVED road trips to the coast. If there was beer drinking involved they were in.

Racing played a huge role in his entire life until he was physically unable to do so. George started his racing career in the Pony Palace in Pablo, MT when he started with a 56 Ford Fiarlan in 1971, and fell in love with the sport. Like most states at the that time a lot of small towns had short dirt tracks. Which saw him racing in Butte, Belgrade, Missoula, Pablo and Kalispell. Like most of the big tracks in America these small tracks either closed or turned into paved tracks the Pony Palace closed and was moved to the current location of Mission Valley Super Oval but at that time it was the Mission Valley Speedway. At this time, he began driving for Joe Santos Sr. which was a 63 Ford Fairlane. Eventually it too turned into a paved track and that is were he truly shined. The track shut down for a few years but after it was reopened he became track president and track champion for the “C” Stock Class driving for Jake Carpentier, his ol’ lady. They entered 300 races together and won 298 of them. George and Jake were really close with many other racers and their families including Ed Cost, Mike Kehoe, Ed Smith, Kenny Smith. After all the wins, and 8 straight championships, the class slowly started dying out and he retired from driving. Unlike most retired drivers, he couldn’t completely leave racing behind so he started reading everything he could about making cars faster. He started pitting for Webster Racing for Bill Webster but he didn’t stop there, he would help anyone who asked. His last adventure was pitting for Donnie Webster Racing until his health wouldn’t allow it. He still enjoyed attending races as a fan and watch NASCAR religiously. Martin Truex Jr. was his driver.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Honeydew, his parents and brother Gary Mitchell, brother Donald Mitchell, uncle/brother Jim Whitworth and sister Sharon Noyes.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. George is also survived by his siblings, Marjorie Bear Don’t Walk, Robert Mitchell and Donna Mitchell. In addition to many, many great friends, he is also survived by his Partner in Crime, Dennis “the Menace Webster”, who has been his friend for 46 years. He will also be greatly missed by his “girls” Liz and Kaylee, the Mitchell family is so grateful for both of you and your care, love and support.

Services for George Mitchell begin on 5/21/24 at 3:00 PM at Foster’s Funeral Home.  Shine up your rides! We're driving to Mission Valley Super Oval (1113 N Reservoir Rd., Polson) for a lap around the track and a beer in the pits. George will be arriving in a 1973 PINK hurse. Then, at 6 PM we will gather at the SQCC Longhouse for dinner and stories.  On 5/22/24 at 11 AM at the SQCC Longhouse will be the closing. PLEASE WEAR YOUR HAWAIIAN ATTIRE! There will be a meal and stories to follow. Dad will be cremated after the closing in preparation for his final road trip including races, bar hopping, gambling, (hopefully a car show) and ending at the coast.

Saturday, 5/25/24 at Mission Valley Super Oval there will be a lap in his honor.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Mitchell, please visit our floral store.