Bud Mitchell just wanted someplace to sleep when he went on fishing trips.
He built a simple box to put on his pickup, and that was the beginning of one the first camper businesses in the Rocky Mountain region.
Mitchell died July 1. He was 75.
Mitchell and family members improved the campers over the years, and Mitchell became known as “the camper king of Colorado.”
“Bud was in charge of sales,” said his brother, Mick, because he was good at meeting people.
They first used plywood and oak strips for the campers, and when they went to metal, the company business took off. Before long, they were known worldwide.
In the 1970s, they built campers that were shipped to the Netherlands and on to the Soviet Union, where they were loaded with Bibles for distribution.
One of Mitchell’s best-known customers was former Denver Broncos coach Red Miller. His camper was orange and blue — the team’s colors.
“I still see Mitchell campers in Trinidad, where I live,” said Mitchell’s daughter Connie Lyons.
The company is now run by Bud Mitchell’s nephews, Steve and Dave Mitchell, and they make mobile-home patios.
Charles R. “Bud” Mitchell was born in Derby (now part of Commerce City) on Feb. 19, 1936.
His home had no indoor plumbing or electricity.
While still in high school, he married Mary Jane Benes.
He first worked as a carpenter’s apprentice. In 1957, he built the first “box” on his pickup. But his carpentry business slowed, and he had to sell the “pickup cabin,” as he called it.
In 1958, he built a second camper but had to sell it because times were hard. He got $300.
Then in 1959, and he his father, Harry Mitchell, and brother Mick opened Mitchell & Sons Campers, building campers and mobile homes.
In addition to his wife, daughter and brother, Mitchell is survived by sons Carl Mitchell of Arvada and Craig Mitchell of Brighton; daughters Carol Prater of Westminster, Cheri SaBell and Cindy Bittner, both of Lakewood, Cayttie Heister of Minot, N.D., and Chloe Hodges of Lakewood; 30 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Highland Mortuary, 10201 Grant St., in Thornton.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
