VERNON - Former state Rep. Sam Mitchell, a Democrat who ranked as one of the most influential members of the Legislature during his 21-year tenure, died Saturday.
Mr. Mitchell, 74, had been suffering from heart problems, but no official cause of death was immediately announced. Mr. Mitchell was back in the hospital because fluid was building in his feet and heart, a complication believed to be related to heart surgery he underwent several weeks ago.
He died shortly before 5 p.m. at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Ala., said his brother, Wilmer.
"He lived a good life," Wilmer Mitchell said. "He helped a lot of people. He was good to people. I guess that's about all you can take with you when you go."
Mr. Mitchell was first elected to the Florida Legislature in 1956 and served until 1960, all the while coaching and teaching at Vernon High School. He returned to the Legislature in 1978 and stayed there until he retired in 1994.
Mr. Mitchell was chosen as House speaker pro tempore for the 1988-90 cycle.
He was born Aug. 2, 1929, in Chipley, growing up on a modest farm that raised cattle and pigs. In an interview with the News-Herald of Panama City three years ago, Mr. Mitchell described his life as being "strictly from the outhouse to the statehouse."
In the Legislature, Mr. Mitchell continued to be an advocate for farmers. He led a drive to create a special sales tax exemption on ostrich feed in 1992 by sponsoring a change in state law. The move classified ostriches as domestic livestock - the same as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Mr. Mitchell spent more than three decades at Vernon High, serving not only as a teacher but also as a coach and principal.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nellie; two daughters; three brothers; and four grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were not available as of Sunday evening.
