John Ward Mitchell, 73, of Eureka Springs, died November 26, 2019 in Springdale, Ark., at the Circle of Life Hospice as a result of a Parkinson’s fall.
John was born in Marianna, Ark., to John Whitman Mitchell of Marianna and Nelda (Byrd) Mitchell of Waco, Texas, on September 28, 1946.
He was in the Arkansas National Guard serving for six years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, Tommy Mitchell.
John was a lifelong art and antiques dealer, having shops in Fayetteville in the early 1970s before moving to Eureka Springs. He was a waiter in often high-end restaurants in Eureka Springs, New Orleans, and Hot Springs to fuel his antique and vintage sports car habit.
In 1995 he built a four-story building at 130 Spring St. which became his shop, Mitchell’s Folly Art and Antiques.
John is survived by his longtime companion Gwen Bennett; his brother Dan (Cheryl) Mitchell and sister, Pat Kost; niece Lauren Pate and nephew John Courtney) Mitchell of McAlester, Okla., and niece Mary Beth Robinson of Anacortis, Wash.
John never met a stranger, had no time for anger, blame or regret. He was a dreamer and an optimist. He led a charmed life.
For a short video of John and his shop go to sacredearthgallery.zenfolio.com/p561326684/eA3938DC2.
Donations in John’s memory may be made to People Helping People c/o The Office of Human Concern PO Box 243, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
A memorial for John is, as yet, undetermined.
Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com