James J. "Jim" Mitchum

James J. "Jim" Mitchum entered this world along with his twin brother, John, at Sargent, Missouri, on October 23, 1912 and left this world on February 23, 2016. From there, the family moved to Crane, Missouri. In 1916, the family embarked on a journey to Batesville, Arkansas, where the family would eventually settle in the McHue community. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nancy (Hocker) Mitchum, ten brothers and sisters, his wife, Geraldine (Sims) Mitchum, and his son, Jimmy Andrew Mitchum. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Jimmie Anne Mitchum of Batesville; a son, Bob Mitchum and wife, Fran, of Conway; three granddaughters, Lynne Mitchum Teague and husband, Dale of McHue, Casey Mitchum of Mountain Home, and Sidney Mitchum of Conway; and two great-grandchildren, Andy Rhodes and Kelly Rhodes both of McHue. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and cousins. Jim was active for many years at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville where he often served as a Sunday School teacher. He also assisted with the maintenance of the facilities. Jim had a lengthy career in law enforcement. He started his career as the Chief Deputy Sheriff of Independence County working with Sheriff Henry Tucker. For a period of time, the family lived in the Independence County jail. In 1949, he became the Chief of Police for the city of Batesville, a job he held for approximately 21 years. After retiring from the Batesville Police Department, he became a planner for the State of Arkansas Crime Commission, and for a time lived in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was a long-time member of the Arkansas Municipal Police Association, serving as President in 1956, and the Arkansas Chiefs of Police Association. Upon returning to Batesville, he was elected to the Batesville City Council and served a number of terms. Upon his retirement from the council, his son, Jim, ran and was elected and served until his death in June of 2005. Among many other things, he will be remembered for his immaculate yard and his Christmas displays in the tall oak tree in his front yard with a monkey in the sleigh for good measure. He was known to "frail" pecan trees, standing on a limb high off the ground. He would likely wish for those who knew him to remember him by recalling one of his many stories and smiling all the while. Pallbearers will be Johnny Mitchum, Tommy Mitchum, Butch Duncan, Tommy Duncan, Jerry Brightwell, and Rick Elumbaugh. Honorary pallbearers are Dale Teague, Andy Rhodes, Adam Harkey, Von Ruminer, George Brickell, George Bentz, Bob Oliver, Dr. Robert Walton, Jim Barnett, Chris Rhodes, Don McSpadden, members of the Batesville City Council, and the Batesville Police Department. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church with Bro. Justin Ledbetter officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Batesville Police Department, Attn: Denise, 500 E. Main Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501; First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501; and Lyon College, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, Ark. 72503. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/batesville.