MITCHELL, JR., James United States Air Force Colonel (Retired) James U. Mitchell Jr., born May 26, 1943 in Charleston, S.C. went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2005 surrounded by his loving family. Col. Mitchell was a graduate of Bishop England High School, Charleston, S.C. and received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in 1965. There he was a member of the elite Junior Sword Drill Team and also a member of the Regimental Staff. He furthered his educational career earning a Masters of Electrical Engineering from Auburn University in 1972. Col. Mitchell entered the USAF in 1965 and completed his pilot training at Craig AFB in Selma, AL. He proudly served his country in the USAF for twenty-seven years. While serving, Jim flew as a forward air controller during the Vietnam Conflict. Upon returning from Vietnam Col. Mitchell entered Air Training Command serving at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX; Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX and the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Jim served as Squadron Commander while at Laughlin AFB. He was a command pilot with more than 3500 flying hours in a variety of aircraft. Col. Mitchell was also assigned as an electrical engineer at the Space and Missile Systems Organization in Los Angeles, CA. Jim’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. Jim proudly retired from the Air Force on July 20, 1992. Most recently Jim was employed as project manager for Raytheon Aircraft at Randolph AFB participating in the development of the T-6A Texan II aircraft. Jim was an avid sportsmen enjoying hunting and fishing with his friends. Jim was happily married to the former Roberta Arlene Hayes of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada for thirty-nine years. They were married on August 1, 1966 in Selma, AL. Together they raised two daughters, Dawn Michelle Mitchell Beamer and Heather Leah Mitchell Kapp. Col. Mitchell was preceded in death by his father James U. Mitchell Sr. He is survived by his wife Roberta Hayes Mitchell, his daughters D. Michelle Mitchell and Heather L. Mitchell and their husbands Brent Beamer and Christopher Kapp; a granddaughter Kelly Breanne Kapp; his mother Katherine Elizabeth Mitchell; mother and father in law, George and Norma Hayes; sister in law, Elizabeth Ann Jones and brother in law, Nicholas Chiarito and one nephew George Reagan Jones; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim will be sadly missed by his family, friends and his entire extended Air Force family. Funeral services for will be held Thursday, April 07, 2005 at Randolph Air Force Base Chapel One at 12:15 P.M. with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to the Lung or Arthritis Foundations. Arrangements under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home.
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