Life story

"It is with deep sorrow that the family of Mitchell Kindon Meik announces his passing on March 16, 2023 at the age of 72.

Mitchell was born in Red Lodge, Montana on August 10th, 1950 to Eldon and Joyce Meik. At age 12, he moved from Missoula, Montana to Strathmore, California. He attended Strathmore High School and was a member of the Future Farmers of America, raising steers, including several grand champion steers.

After high school, Mitchell attended College of the Sequoias. During his second year at COS he was drafted into the U.S. Army. From 1970 to 1972 he served as a medic in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, his unit received cookies from a group of female students attending Brigham Young University. Mitchell began writing several of the women and quickly developed an interest in Cathy Gibson and continued to write her during his time in Vietnam.

Mitchell and Cathy met for the first time in person in January 1972 and were married later that year. Over the years they welcomed and raised six children: Kindon, Heidi, Nathan, Chris, Kirsten, and Wade. In their home, Mitchell and Cathy taught the principles of honesty, hard work, respect, kindness, and a deep love for the Savior, Jesus Christ.

After their marriage, Mitchell attended Fresno State University and subsequently
transferred to Brigham Young University where he graduated in 1977 with a degree in
Communications. Upon graduation, Mitchell and Cathy returned to California eventually settling in Porterville where they lived for 22 years.

During his time in Porterville, Mitchell worked at several local schools and was also employed by Porterville College at the Porterville Developmental Center. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mitchell served in a number of leadership positions including Bishop of the Porterville 2nd Ward from 1995 to 1999. Additionally, he served as volunteer Scoutmaster for Troop 124 with the Boy Scouts of America and as a board member of the Parent Teacher Association at Roche Avenue Elementary School.

In 2000, Mitchell and Cathy moved to Oregon and both began working with Job Corp in the adult education program. In 2011, Mitchell and Cathy spent a year living in Nanjing, China where they worked and volunteered in different capacities.

Mitchell loved his 24 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He cherished visits and phone calls with them and remembered the activities they were involved in and followed their different accomplishments. In turn, Mitchell’s grandchildren loved their Papa and enjoyed the stories he would share.

Throughout his life, Mitchell was known for his good sense of humor and kindness. He will be remembered for his forgiving nature, his loyalty, cleverness, playfully mischievous personality, creativity, and pleasant demeanor. Mitchell is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marty, and his brother, Matt. He is survived by his wife, his children, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his sister, Janet Wright, and his brother, Jeff Meik. Mitchell will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. "