MAJ Paul LeRoy Mitchell, 85, of Navarre, Florida, passed away on Monday July 24, 2017. Paul was born in Florence, Alabama, on October 30, 1931, and was the first of three children born to the late Benjamin and Lillian Mitchell. Paul had lived in Navarre, Florida, for the past 35 years. Paul was a loving husband, father, and friend. Paul joined the service in 1949 and retired after serving 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. He later went on to fly corporate; and opened an RV Park in Navarre, Florida. Paul enjoyed spending time with family, playing golf with friends, talking about his military and corporate flying days, and watching John Wayne and Alabama football. Paul was known for his love of family and straightforward approach. As a survivor of Vietnam, Paul was a decorated pilot with a Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, The Air Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Major Mitchell received his Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross during Operation Ranch Hand during the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his sister, Hilda Webster. Paul is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rosalie Mitchell, of Navarre, Florida; brother, David Mitchell and wife Peggy, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; two sons, Chris Mitchell and wife Debra, of Juno Beach, Florida, and David Mitchell of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; daughter, Aeiko Mitchell, of Pensacola Beach, Florida; nieces, Liz Minamitani and Traci Nelson, of Huntsville, Alabama, and Anna Ganse, of Chicago, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Michael and Kaitlyn Mitchell, of Juno Beach, Florida. Funeral Services for Paul Mitchell will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre Chapel (7794 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, Florida 32566). Burial will follow services at 1:00 p.m., in Barrancas National Cemetery, onboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., prior to the service. The family requests Memorial Donations be made to the USO of Northwest Florida (2430 Airport Blvd. Suite 216, Pensacola, FL 32504) or to St. Jude Memorial and Honor Gifts (P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.)