Obituaries

February 01, 2012
Obituaries

Patricia Jo-Anne Mitchell

Patricia Jo-Anne Mitchell passed away January 7, 2012 from pancreatic and liver cancer. Pat was born in Ventura, CA to Marlene and Richard Craner and lived in Santa Paula for most of her life. Pat’s mother was killed in a car accident when Pat was only 3 years old so she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Joe and Maggie Collins. She attended Santa Paula High School where her nickname was “Peanut” because of her small (4’9”) stature.

Pat married Archie Lee Mitchell in 1961. She and Archie owned and worked at several service stations in Santa Paula over the years with the last one being the Unocal Station on Main St. next door to the Union Oil Museum. They sold the station to their son Mike in 1987 and retired from full-time work. 

Pat and Archie had one son, Michael Joe Mitchell, and one grandson, Michael Christian Mitchell, who was the light of his grandmother’s life.

Pat is survived by her very special grandson, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael C. Mitchell, United States Navy, his wife Ashley and her 1st great-granddaughter who is due in May. She is also survived by Michael’s mother Leslie Quintero, her dear Aunt Dollie “Dimples” McClure who Pat loved very much and who she considered as her second mother, her cousins, Don McClure (Mary), Jim McClure (Ellen), Wendell McClure (Colleen), Arnetta Kuykendall, and Kenneth McClure (Jackie). 

Pat was predeceased by her husband Archie, son Mike, mother Marlene Craner, dad Dick Craner and grandparents Joe and Maggie Collins.

The family held a private graveside celebration of her life at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Richard R. Denton

Richard R. Denton, 53, of Santa Paula, California, passed away January 23, 2012 at Santa Paula Hospital, surrounded by many family members and friends.

He was born February 21, 1958 in Santa Paula to Chester and Esther Denton. He was the eighth child in a family of 12.

Rich attended school in Santa Paula, and graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1977. At the age of 19, Rich was injured in a car accident that confined him to a wheelchair, but he lived a full life despite his limitations. He graduated from Ventura College with an Associate in Arts degree.

He was a caring brother, uncle and friend who was greatly loved by his family and friends. He was a man of wisdom, had a willingness to help others in need, a mentor to young people, and in inspiration to many.

Rich lived a simple life that focused on supporting and loving those around him. He was an avid reader, loved the San Francisco Giants, and Allman Brothers music was always playing in the garage.

Needless to say, our hearts are broken over the passing of our brother. He will be greatly missed and a hole is left in each one of our hearts. Our family was blessed to call him brother.

He is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Gene and Nancy of Santa Paula, Ronald and Brenda of Williamsburg, VA, and Larry and Jane of Washburn, MO; brothers William and Robert of Santa Paula; and sisters and brothers-in-law Mary and Roger Clark of Orosi, CA, Louise and Carthel Socia of Santa Paula, Janet and Sid McKeen of Santa Paula, and Diane and John O’Dell of Diana, TX. He was blessed with several nephews - Kenny, Michael, Randy, Ryan, Jason, Ethan, Kyle, Bobby and Austin; and nieces – Kristy, Brandi, Melissa, Savannah, and Jessica; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, and special friends Darrio and Mike.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester A. Denton and Esther I. Denton, eldest sister Dorothy I. Bush, and younger sister Linda Denton.

A private family memorial service is pending.






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