Charlie Mitchell peacefully entered eternal rest surrounded by his family on September 27, 2009. Born in Hugo, Oklahoma on a little dairy farm, where his dad also farmed cotton, soybeans and peanuts, Charles' family ventured to Shafter in 1948 in hopes of a better life. Charles recalled driving over the ridge route in the family's 1946 Ford and staring in amazement at the huge valley before them. After graduating from Shafter High School in 1957, where he was a standout athlete in baseball and football, he continued playing football at Bakersfield College. He then joined his father, Willie, farming cotton, potatoes, alfalfa and grain in the Shafter area. After 50 years, he found a new passion by joining the sales team at Pioneer Equipment. Over the years, Charlie was active in the farming community serving on numerous local and national boards including, CalCot, Ltd., the Richland Cooperative Gin, Cotton Incorporated and the Cotton Council. He served as the Kern County Farm Bureau President and was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve on the Kern County Fair Board. The Shafter Chamber of Commerce honored him in 1994 as the Farmer of the Year. He was also active in political circles elected to serve many years on Kern County's Republican Central Committee, including serving as the Central Committee's Chair. In 1996 and 2000, he was honored to represent Kern County at the Republican National Presidential Conventions in San Diego and Philadelphia. Later, he was honored as the Kern County Republican Party Republican of the Year. Despite his many accomplishments, Charlie was a humble man of quiet faith who was devoted to his family. Family came first and he was his grandchildren's biggest fan. Preceded in death by his parents, Willie Marcus and Mary Esther (Cowley), and his oldest son, Michael, Charles is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Beverly, daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Ted Porwoll; daughter Lori Mitchell; son, David Mitchell of Los Angeles; grandchildren, Ted Porwoll, III of Livermore, Alyson (Justin) Coffman of Atlanta, GA, Mitchell and Amy Porwoll ,brother Doug Mitchell, sisters, Demple Amos and Martha Huntington, along with numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Public viewing will be Thursday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Peters Funeral Home. Services are scheduled Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at the Mennonite Brethern Church in Shafter. Psalm 121