Funeral services for Mr. Louie Mitchell "Mitch" Praytor, age 74 of Lindale are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 13, 2009 in the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Buddy Hicks and Rev. Gary Chalk officiating. Burial with Masonic graveside rites will follow in the Hopewell Cemetery with services under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Directors in Lindale. Mitch died Saturday, October 10, 2009 at his residence in Lindale. He was born on January 13, 1935 in Lindale, Texas, the son of the late Weldon Mitchell & Mildred Louise Gibson Praytor. Mitch served in the United States Naval Reserves and worked for Nabisco, retiring in 1996 after 42 years. He served as President for the Tyler Lone Star Chapter of Football Officials and officiated football and baseball games for 37 years during which time he officiated 2 State Championship Football games and 6 State Baseball Tournaments. Mitch was a 33rd Degree Mason of the Lindale Masonic Lodge #848, member of the Dallas Valley Scottish Rite, York Rite, Lindale Eastern Star, Sharon Shrine Temple in Tyler, Past District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of Texas and member of the Lindale First Baptist Church. Mitch was very service oriented and dedicated a lot of his life to football and baseball. He was preceded in death by his Wife, Ann L. Praytor on June 2, 1990 and Son, John Keith Praytor on September 14, 1981.

Mitch is survived by his Son & Daughter-in-law, Dwayne Mitchell & Pam Praytor of Lindale; Brother & Sister-in-law, Bud & Beth Praytor of Lindale; Sisters & Brothers-in-law, Pat Streetman of Mississippi, Nell Cox & husband, Jim of Livermore, California, Sue & David Wortham of Nolanville, Shirley & Bill Abbott of Lindale, and Laura & Gean Alvey of Lindale; Sisters-in-law, Sharlotte Wilkinson and husband, Ed of Edom and Shirley McHam of Lindale; 2 Grandchildren, Cody Mitchell Praytor and wife, Amanda of Forney and Haley Jayne Praytor of Rockwall; 2 Great Grandsons, Layten Mitchell and Landon Jax Praytor both of Forney; numerous Nieces and Nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be the Lindale Masonic Lodge #848. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Battee, Gary Chalk, Monty Florence, Kyle Rutherford and other members of the Tyler Lone Star Chapter of Football Officials and Masons, Chuck Allard, Larry Blanchard, Ben Brown, Gene Conley and Leslie Tew.

The Praytor family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday evening at the funeral home in Lindale.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.