Maurice Mitchell was born in Wheeler, Texas, on December 10, 1946. He was the second son of Olan Bedford Mitchell and Eula Faye Higgins Mitchell and named Olan Maurice in honor of his dad’s Army buddy who died in World War II. Known as Mitch or Mossy, he spent his childhood surrounded by a large extended family and built special bonds with his siblings and cousins. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Before graduating from high school in 1965, in Tatum, NM, he played on the Varsity basketball team and dedicated his free time to mastering the game of pool at the local Pool Hall.

In the middle of the Vietnam War era, 1966, with the draft reinstated, Maurice and his friend, Bill West, voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy rather than wait to be drafted. BM2 Mitchell earned several medals for his service and saw much of the world during his four years in the Navy, mostly while on the destroyer USS Wiltsie (DD 716). After returning home, Maurice married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Adams, and they celebrated 55 years of marriage before his passing.

Using the generous benefits of the GI Bill and attending night school, Maurice received an Associate’s degree from New Mexico Junior College (while winning countless pool and snooker trophies), and he earned a Bachelor of Business degree from the College of the Southwest (now known as the University of the Southwest).

Maurice worked in a variety of roles at BP Amoco and earned multiple awards in Hobbs, NM; Odessa, TX; and then in Houston. He served as President of the non-profit Gas Controllers’ Association. He retired shortly after his first grandchildren were born in 2006. After retirement, worried that the oil field could not manage without him, Maurice went back to work as a Consultant for ConocoPhillips. He also served as treasurer of the USS Wiltsie Reunion Committee.

Now known as Papa, Maurice spent the next nineteen years as a doting grandpa- he and Debbie creating special memories for their grandchildren, attending their events, and celebrating their accomplishments. Maurice will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for his contagious laughter and generosity, his pride in being an Aggie Dad, his love of baseball cards and the Houston Astros, playing games, working crossword puzzles, growing and sharing plumeria, golfing, fishing, and retelling old stories with his shipmates.

Amidst the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinsonism, Maurice and Debbie moved back to Katy last year to be closer to their daughter Amy’s family. Maurice was still able to express his gratitude to the Lord and to talk with his siblings, cousins, and friends about the good old days.

Preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Don and Mary Beth Holladay Adams; and two brothers-in-law, Joey Adams and Dick Morrison, Maurice leaves behind a loving family including his wife, Debbie; his children and their spouses, Justin and Bunny Mitchell (Laguna Niguel CA) and Amy and Matt Daniel (Katy TX); and his grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Emsley Mitchell, Eli Daniel, Evan Daniel, and Catie Grace Mitchell; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Barbara Mitchell (Midland TX); his sister, Angie Morrison (Melissa TX); sister-in-law, Cheri Adams (Lovington NM); nieces: Misty Morrison Warrick and Bryan (Celina TX), Cassie Adams (Lovington NM), Courtney Adams Watson (Lovington NM), and nephew, David Adams (Mesa AZ), and many caring cousins, and great nieces and nephews, as well as good friends and co-workers whom he considered family.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Visitation at 1:00 PM and a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM which will take place in the chapel at Schmidt Funeral Home, 1344 W. Grand Parkway South in Katy on Tuesday, June 17. A private Interment of Ashes with full military honors will take place at a later date at Houston National Cemetery.

The family would like to express our deepest thanks to Pax et Vita Hospice, and particularly Leslie Bennett, for her caring support during this challenging time. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Maurice to the Lewy Body Dementia Fund of the American Brain Foundation.