<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p><em>James Allen “Mitch” Mitchell Jr.</em>, the son of James A. Mitchell Sr. and Doris Stokes Mitchell, was born in Union City, TN on March 25, 1951. He loved growing up in the small town of Mayfield, KY, duck hunting with his father on the Mississippi River, and playing high school football as a Mayfield High School Cardinal. </p>
<p>Jim was an excellent student and took an interest in the military at an early age. He received congressional nominations to the three service academies and chose to attend West Point, always his dream. Jim was assigned to newly formed Company I-2 in August 1969, building lifelong friendships with his “Illegitimate Two” classmates. </p>
<p>Jim is lovingly remembered by his family, classmates, Army comrades, and work associates for his great sense of humor and infectious laugh. He was a true gentleman and man of faith who loved life and lived it to the fullest. He especially loved to read, play games, pull pranks, tell stories, and travel. He took great joy in getting to know people and making sure they knew that he was truly interested in them. He was valued by all as someone you could go to for help knowing that you would receive his full attention and thoughtful advice. Jim was genuinely a good guy. </p>
<p>Jim is remembered by his I-2 classmates for his adventurous spirit. After graduation it was revealed that he and a roommate had an unauthorized television in their room one year, and Jim ran the antenna wire to the roof, using chewing gum to conceal it in a joint between the granite blocks of the barracks wall. On one summer break, Jim and a classmate attempted a poorly planned backpacking trip in Wyoming, which resulted in Jim getting hepatitis and his classmate almost drowning in a fast-flowing river. Jim was not a particularly fast runner and, with the encouragement of his classmates, usually finished the two-mile run within seconds of the required time, but he always went back to cheer on those behind him. He recalled his time at Beast Barracks as the greatest physical, mental, and psychological challenge he ever had, but said it also resulted in some of the most important lessons in the formation of a leader. He wrote: “The process taught us the value of teamwork and friendship. Many of these friendships last a lifetime.”</p>
<p>Jim branched Armor, his top choice, and was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment on the border between West and East Germany, a key Cold War flash point at that time. On his return from Germany, he completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course and then flight school at Fort Rucker, AL in 1979. Jim became an attack helicopter pilot, stationed at Fort Riley, KS and then served at Fort Polk, LA as a platoon commander and troop commander. Jim left active duty in 1982 as a captain. In addition to a paratrooper’s badge and flight wings, Jim was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. </p>
<p>In 1981, Jim met Captain Marsha Mullenioux, who was, at that time, the commander of the 1st Adjutant General Company in the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley. There’s some disagreement between them about exactly when they first met, but they agree the important thing is that they met. They were engaged in one month, married in four, and were a team for 44 years. </p>
<p>Jim and his beloved wife, Marsha, settled in Blue Springs, MO, where he began a civilian career in the Kansas City area. He was the operations manager for Macy’s Midwest, an information technology manager at Hallmark Cards, Inc., and, after earning a master’s degree in human resource management from Ottawa University, he became human resources vice president at UMB Bank, where he was known for his people skills and his ability to solve problems “outside the box.”</p>
<p>After retirement in 2007, Jim and Marsha traveled extensively, visiting family and friends, attending reunions, and going to military tattoo competitions in the United States, Canada, and Scotland. Jim was a Civil War and a World War II buff and often knew more than the guides when he toured battlefields with friends and classmates. Fishing trips to Pickerel Arms Lake in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada were among Jim’s favorite activities, which he did frequently with Marsha and his “out-law” relatives (Marsha’s family). Jim also loved working with computers and was the family “go-to” expert for all things tech. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than helping others in any way he could and, more often than not, it was through helping them with computer issues.</p>
<p>Jim once wrote that, for his personal motto, he would modify the USMA motto of Duty, Honor, Country to include “Family.” No one lived by his personal motto more than did James Allen Mitchell Jr.</p>
<p>Jim was asked, “For what would you like to be famous?” He responded: “My interest was in being the best person I might possibly be and as good a husband, son, sibling, friend, etc., as possible. I have tried to live my life in the best manner possible and hopefully will have left a good impression and maybe some fond memories on those whom I have encountered along the way.” </p>
<p>Well done.</p>
<p><em>— Jim Schweithelm, Classmate; Marsha Mitchell, Wife</em></p>
</body>
</html>