Allen Roy Mitchel

Allen Roy Mitchel, age 73 of Springdale, Arkansas died Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the Earlene Howard Hospice House. He was born in Oak Forest, Arkansas to his late parents John F. and Ellen Cole Mitchell on August 13, 1938. Allen graduated from T.A. Futrall High School in Marianna, Arkansas where he played football and basketball. Allen grew up as part of a sharecropper family and knew to make it to college, he must dream big and work hard. He won a scholarship to Henderson State University where he played basketball and football. He graduated with a degree in business which would serve him well. In addition, he was of the Methodist faith and a veteran of the United States Army.

He was an entrepreneur at heart and in the early 70's opened Allen's Freeze King. After many years of sacrifice, hard work, and dedication; he was able to open another company. In 1973, he opened City Sign and Neon Company in Camden, Arkansas. In the mid 80's the business had been so successful that he expanded the business and moved to Hot Springs. Allen was a gifted salesman and businessman who had customers statewide and provided exceptional customer service.

If Allen cared about something, there was only one way he expressed it, totally committed. He was committed to his business and customers, but he gave new meaning to the word sports enthusist, especially when it came to his children. From early on, he sponsored and coached their teams prior to Junior and Senior High School. He dreamed big for his children, as he had for himself many years ealier.

Allen was passionate about his love for his two sons and daughter. He would light up when he talked about them and their accomplishments. His children and their friends were the way to Allen's heart, and in his later years, his grandchildren. Allen leaves his family with the knowledge that he loved them greatly.

Survivors include his three children, Daniel Fuller Smith (Jennifer) of Little Rock, AR, Cassie Hurtado (A.J.) of Little Rock, AR and Cole Mitchel (Brandy) of Rogers, AR; two sisters, Lurlene Bates of Marianna, AR and Doris Hope (Bob) of St. Louis, MS; two brothers, Zollie Mitchel (Amy) of Sacramento, CA and Don Mitchell (Kathy) of Emmit, Arkansas; and six grandchildren, Caroline and Camille Smith, Zack Overton, Sam and Jake Hurtado all of Little Rock, AR and Kinsley Mitchel of Rogers, AR.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Lake Valley Community Church, 910 Shady Grove Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71901. A visitation will be held on Monday, October 3, 2011 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Gross Funeral Home, 120 Wrights St., Hot Springs, AR (501) 624-1244.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Circle of Life Hospice House, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Springdale Health and Rehab and the Earlene Howard Hospice House for the care and love they gave their father.