Robert Mitchell (Mitch) LaGrone, III

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Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
St. James United Methodist Church
321 Pleasant Valley Drive
Little Rock, AR  72212
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
1:00 P.M.
Memorial Contributions
St. James United Methodist Church
321 Pleasant Valley Drive
Little Rock, AR  72212


Arkansas Children's Hospital
1 Children's Way
Little Rock, AR  72202
I served in the Air Force.
Robert Mitchell (Mitch) LaGrone, IIII am a Veteran.

of Little Rock, AR

April 24, 1932 - November 18, 2022

Robert Mitchell (Mitch) LaGrone III passed from this life on November 18, 2022. Born in Hope, AR in 1932 to Robert and Evelyn LaGrone, he was a graduate of Hope High School and Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, ROTC and the freshman baseball team.

Mitch was inducted into the United States Air Force in 1955 at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. He served as Manager of the Officer's Club and later as Adjutant of the Air Police squadron. He played on the base football, baseball and golf teams, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

In 1958 he became a casualty underwriter for Travelers Insurance Company in Dallas where he met and married Arlene Kuehling. They returned to Hope and opened LaGrone Insurance and Realty Agency.

Mitch joined the Citizens National Bank in 1962 and in 1974 followed his late father and grandfather as the bank's third president. He served the bank for 42 years as an employee and director.

Mitch was deeply involved in the work of the First United Methodist Church of Hope, serving as a teacher in the youth department, Sunday School superintendent, Chairman of Trustees and the planning, construction and financing of the new church building in 1973. He was also active in a number of commercial poultry businesses, real estate and an abstract and title company. Mitch and his family owned two farms in Hempstead County which produced timber, hay, watermelons and peaches. He was appointed to the Red River Commission of Southwest Arkansas by then Governor Bill Clinton.

Mitch was a prime mover in helping build Hope Country Club, by promoting the construction of a new clubhouse in the 1970s, as well as planning and overseeing the expansion of the golf course when nine additional holes were built in the 1990s. He formed the 135-member Southwest Arkansas Senior Golf Association and was its Executive Director and Tournament Chairman for a number of years.

Mitch and his wife, Arlene, moved to Little Rock in 2001 to be nearer their children and grandchildren. They became members of Trinity United Methodist Church and belonged to the Searchers Sunday School Class. Mitch served as Chairman of the Trinity Chaplains visitation ministry. They moved to Maumelle in 2005 and later became members of St. James United Methodist Church of Little Rock and the New Challenges Sunday school class. In 2017 they returned to Little Rock and settled in Parkway Village.

Besides family, church, banking and agriculture, his other major interests were golf, hunting, fishing, playing guitar and banjo and crafting hard-shell gourds.

Mitch was predeceased by his parents, Robert & Evelyn LaGrone and a sister, Barbara LaGrone Daniels.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Arlene; children, Dean (Bonnie); Andy (Lisa); Pat; Jeanne (Kenny) De Luca; nephew, Tim (Mona) Daniels; 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, November 29 at 1:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, located at 321 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for refreshments and visitation. A private burial will be held at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle.

Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church; Arkansas Children's Hospital or charity of choice. Any flowers should be delivered to Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.



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43 Condolence(s)
Mitch Ford
Tomball, TX
Liked
Thursday, December 14, 2023

I met Mr. LaGrone and his wife several times over the years at my parents home in Tomball, Texas, and I didn’t really know Mr. LaGrone, but I was named after him. My name is Mitch Ford, and my father, Millard Ford, Jr. was Mr. LaGrone’s roommate at SMU.

My father father passed away this past March 14, 2023 at 91; roughly four months after Mr. LaGrone. I was thinking of the people that my dad admired and Mr. LaGrone came to my mind and I thought I would look him and his wife Arlene up to inform them of my father’s passing. It is with sad news that I found this obituary for Mr. LaGrone. I trust that his wife, Mrs. LaGrone is still living and would see this.

My mother, Shirley Ford, passed away on February 1, 2021 at the age of 86.

My prayers and condolences to all of the LaGrone family.

From Mitch to MItch, thank you for being such a special man, that my father named me after you.

Mitch K Ford
Tomball, Texas




Johnny & Karen Duckett
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

He was a fine man!!

Frank Horton
Fayetteville, NC
Liked
Friday, December 9, 2022

Mitch lived two blocks from my home and I grew up watching him play football for the Bobcats. He always had a smile on his face and was always pleasant to be around. Mitch stood tall for GOD in life and that’s remembered.

Gary Broom
Tulsa, OK
Liked
Thursday, December 8, 2022

MItch was a very good man and friend to all. We should all be so lucky to leave behind such a great legacy. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends!

John J. Hays
Texarkana, TX
Liked
Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Claudia Tolleson
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 30, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God’s amazing peace surround you and comfort you.

Matthew Manning
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, November 28, 2022

Pat & the LaGrone Family:

I am so sorry for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace in the days ahead as you think back on all of the wonderful memories that you have of Mr. LaGrone throughout the many years. His legacy will live on through you all in the future.

Sincerely,

Matt

David and Ileene WATKINS
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, November 28, 2022

Mitch was a great person……A leader and “Force” in Hope, AR for 50+ years, but more than that, he was a “great guy”! He will be missed, not only by his loving family, but all who knew him….Rest in peace, Mitch. You will be forever missed by your personal “Loved Ones” and all others who had the honor of knowing You! David and Ileene Watkins

David and Ileene WATKINS
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, November 28, 2022

Mitch was a great person……A leader and “Force” in Hope, AR for 50+ years, but more than that, he was a “great guy”! He will be missed, not only by his loving family, but all who knew him….Rest in peace, Mitch. You will be forever missed by your personal “Loved Ones” and all others who had the honor of knowing You! David and Ileene Watkins

Charles and Marietta Hunt
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, November 27, 2022

We re so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for peace and comfort at this time.

Joanne Liebman Matson
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, November 27, 2022

Andy, Lisa, Ellis, and Anna,
We are so sorry to hear about Mitch. These are tough times. May his memory be a blessing.

Joanne, Charles, Cameron, and Jared

Larry Redlich
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, November 24, 2022

Mitch and I were close friends we played golf together for over 30 years he was my partner in many golf tournaments I watched his children grow up he was one of my best customers for over 40 years (was in the appliance repair biusnes) the year he turned 65 he beat me in a play off for the club championship and that same year Arlene won the Laydies club championship I was so proud of both of them my condolences to the whole family he was a great man and father and husband i will miss him

Donna Lauterbach Lee
Hope, AR
Liked
Thursday, November 24, 2022

Jeanne and family,

So sorry for your loss. Praying for your comfort through this difficult time.

Chuck Beyerley
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

So sorry for your loss Mitch was a fine man

Becky Garrett Steele
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

I was so saddened to hear that Mr. LaGrone had passed away. He was a highly respected member of this community, and a friend to so many. He was so kind and sympathetic when he learned about my uncle passing away earlier this year. He was a classmate of both of my parents, and when my mother would help organize class reunions, he would quietly ask if they had enough funds in the class account, and tell her to please let him know if they didn’t, which I know she appreciated.
My deepest condolences to his beloved Arlene and their family. You are all very much in my prayers.

jake honea
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Paul & Karen Lively
magnolia, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

I'm so sorry for yalls loss, Mitch was always so nice

Dave and Betsy Bramlett
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Sure sorry for your loss. Sure thought a lot of Mitch.

Tee Powers
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Dean and Andy and family. I am so sorry for your loss!! Your dad was always so nice to me and I enjoyed all of our conversations and usually it was about guitars. God Bless and I am praying for your family!!!

Joe and Thana Schoen
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

We extend our sincere condolences to the family. Mitch was always good to our family during our 47 years in Hope. We renewed our friendship at Parkway Village. We know he is now enjoying his new life.

Myra
Hope, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

I am so sorry to hear about Mitch passing he was a wonderful man I know he will be greatly missed my sympathy goes out to the family

Michelle Middlebrooks Rhodes
Fairview, TX
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Dear Jeanne and LaGrone Family, Your dad was an outstanding human being. You will miss him dearly because he was such a great dad and family man. My love and prayers are sent your way . I’m sure my dad is swapping some duck hunting and golfing memories with your dad. ❤️ Heaven gained another angel.

Michelle Middlebrooks Rhodes
Fairview, TX
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Dear Jeanne and LaGrone Family, Your dad was an outstanding human being. You will miss him dearly because he was such a great dad and family man. My love and prayers are sent your way . I’m sure my dad is swapping some duck hunting and golfing memories with your dad. ❤️ Heaven gained another angel.

Mike and Bobbye Burk
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Mike and I are sorry to hear of Mitch’s passing. We were in the Searchers Sunday School class with him and Arlene. I remember the beautiful gourds he fashioned.

Deborah Beard
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Pat, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your daddy sounds like a great person. I know you will miss him but that you have wonderful memories to fill the void he left.

Joe and Thana Schoen
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

We extend our sincere condolences to the family. Mitch was always good to our family during our 47 years in Hope. We renewed our friendship at Parkway Village. We know he is now enjoying his new life.

Carol Van Ness Holiman
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

My mother, Laura Ann Garanflo Van Ness, was best friends with Barbara and the LaGrone family years ago in Hope. Condolences to the family. They are fine people.

Kim Hooks
Swainsboro, GA
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Our love and prayers are with you all.
The Hairr Girls
Georganne, Kim, Betsy and Amy

Chaplain Beverly
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

It was my absolute JOY serving as your Chaplain at the Comfort Care Center. Praying for you and your family🕊

Billie Beardsley
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Part of my Christmas decorations are the three Christmas gourds Mitch painted for me. I will miss his informative emails. He wa a good man.


Mark & Alicia Ross
Hope, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Praying for your family during a time of sorrow

Wayne & Elaine Johnson
Hope, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

What a wonderful legacy Mitch leaves for his family! Thought very highly of him and considered him a friend. Prayers for his family

Robby Tefteller
Prescott, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

I am deeply saddened by the loss of a such a great man! I had tremendous respect for Mr. LaGrone! My thoughts and prayers are with the family!

Dean LaGrone
Fayetteville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Paula Parker May
Hope, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Mrs. Lagrone and Family
Was very sorry to hear about Mr. Lagrone.
You have my deepest condolences.

Dave McAlpine
Little Rick, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Andy and Patrick, my condolences on the loss of your father. Reading about him tells me he was a great man and I can see his influence on both of you! Sympathies to your mother and all those in your families.

Rick and Frances McAfee
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Our prayers are with you and your family.

Kevin & Kelly Beard
Houston, TX
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Keeping everyone in our prayers!

Sherry Muldrew-Banks
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Andy and the LaGrone family, keeping you and your family in my prayers. My sympathy and prayer is that God will comfort and strengthen you during this time of grief.

Sherry Muldrew
Class of 1979
HHS

Mary Laughlin Fenton
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Andy I am
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Sending prayers for him and your family.
With deep sympathy,
Mary

Andrew and Lori Delfos
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Andy and Pat,

We’re sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Please accept our condolences. May his memory be eternal.

Andrew and Lori

Asbury H Gault
LITTLE ROCK, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Our prayers are with you.

Forrest & Pat Hutson
HOPE, AR
Liked
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

So sorry for your loss, will keep your family in our prayers.