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Mitchell Cline
Frankfort - Mitch Cline, age 71, passed away Friday, April 29, 2016, at Lexington VA Hospital.
Mitch Cline was born in Middletown, Ohio, on January 6, 1945, to Virginia Lee Zimmers of Daytona Beach, Florida, and the late Lacy Gordon Cline. He was a member of Frankfort Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #530 and VFW post 4075. He retired from the Kentucky State Government Transportation Cabinet and was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. Mitch was also a devoted University of Kentucky fan.
Along with his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Larry Cline of Canada and Gary Cline of Colorado; and by two sisters Geraldine Lenz of Daytona Beach, Florida and Kathy Moonen, of Port Orange, Florida.
A private graveside service will be observed with the Rev. Dr. John Opsata officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared via the online guest book at www.harrodbrothers.com .
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Jeanne Hathaway
A remembrance: While Mitch was in basic training he was stationed at Fort Knox. One night, after a bit too much partying, Leo Durham, Carol Lawson and I decided that we should visit Mitch. I don't know whatever in the world possssed us to think we could just waltz onto the base late at night (waaaay past curfew) since he was in Basic and not supposed to have visitors, but we set out anyway armed only with a partial address for his barracks, and probably a bit more bourbon. We were all dressed up for some reason and so we hit upon a plan to present ourselves as Mitch's family, from far away, with this being our last chance of seeing the dear boy before he shipped out. Since I always looked older than my actual years, I was elected to pose as Mitch's aunt. Now the guards at the front gate bought our ridiculous story, but the Sgt. manning the desk in the CQ was having none of it. He keep staring at Carol who bore a great resemblance to the actress Ali MacGraw, and she played this for all it was worth, taking his "smokey the bear" sargent's hat right off his head, putting it on and offering her autograph if he'd let her have it. I started weeping and said I couldn't bear the thought of leaving without seeing my favorite nephew. The poor Sgt. finally couldn't take the keening and badgering anymore and summoned poor Mitch, who had been rousted out of bed with no earthly idea what was going on. He reported on the double to the CQ and, in full uniform, came smartly to attention staring straight ahead. Awkward silence as the Sgt. looked back and forth between this motley band of would be relatives and the young terrified soldier who was forbidden to have visitors during basic training. "NEPHEW!" I screamed and threw my arms around him. "O.K. Five minutes is all ya got. At ease!" the Sgt. growled and shaking his head stalked off into the next room, leaving us doubled over with laughter. I don't remember how we got out of there, nor the long ride home, but I will always remember that it was the last time I would see his handsome smiling face before he was forever changed, and the world with him.
Bill Kitchen
For unknown reasons, I found that certain parents found me unacceptable and would not let their daughters goout on dates with me. Mitch became my surrogate. He would pick up my date and then we would meet a few blocks away and she would get in my car and then we would reverse the procedure a few hours later.
Years later, (1968), my wife and I were living in Lexington and out of the blue, Mitch called. He had recently been discharged. I told him where we lived and asked him to stop by and meet my wife. Mitch arrived the next afternoon and we were exchanging memories , when Mitch abruptly began weeping.
Vietnam had stolen my friend.
Rest in peace, Mitch.