Former Arkansas Rep. Tommy Mitchum dies at 76

Former Arkansas state Rep. Tommy E. Mitchum, a Batesville native known for a lifetime of public service, has died. He was 76. Mitchum died Monday, Dec. 22, at White River Medical Center with family members by his side.

Mitchum was born July 17, 1949, in Batesville and graduated from Southside High School in 1967. He was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1972 at age 23, becoming one of the youngest lawmakers ever to serve in the chamber. Mitchum served 20 years in the House, where he built a reputation as a strong advocate for law enforcement and public safety. He sponsored and supported numerous measures benefiting the Arkansas State Police, served as a spokesperson for the Arkansas State Police Association, and helped pass one of the state’s toughest drunken-driving enforcement laws at the time.

Following his legislative career, Mitchum continued his commitment to public service as chairman of North Arkansas Human Services, later Health Resources of Arkansas, focusing on expanding access to mental health and chemical dependency treatment across multiple counties. He later was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson as a civil enforcement liaison with the Department of Human Services and also served on the board of the Morgan Nick Foundation.

A family greeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Maple Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Rosie, followed by a 2 p.m. celebration of life service. A private burial will follow at Egner Cemetery in Salado.

To read Mitchum’s full obituary, click here.