John Raymond Mitchell

John Raymond Mitchell, 49, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 19th in Huntsville, Texas. A native of Thomasville, North Carolina, John was born March 19, 1959 to Ramona Boaz Mitchell and the late Joe F. Mitchell. John was married to Michele Allbritton Mitchell of Huntsville on June 26, 1993, who survives him, and they were blessed with two children, Kacie Leigh, 13, and Joseph Cole, 10. John is also survived by his mother of Thomasville, a sister, Martha and husband Bill Adams of Burlington, North Carolina, and a brother Paul Rush Mitchell and wife Vicki of Denton, North Carolina, as well as four nephews and a niece. John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Furniture Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1982. He worked for many years as a sales representative for Davis Furniture of High Point, North Carolina, and met Michele through his business dealings while she was employed at the Federal Courthouse in Houston. John had an outstanding career in the National Guard beginning in 1985. Upon moving to the District of Columbia area, he served for a number of years with the Maryland Guard, and ultimately finished his career with the National Guard of Texas, where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, his father’s rank, on May 17, 2008. Colonel Mitchell was an artilleryman, and his greatest accomplishment in the Guard was his deployment to Kosovo in 2005-2006 where he served as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization peacekeeping force. He earned high accolades from the International Command for his efforts in promoting harmony among the officers and soldiers from the various European countries in furtherance of the NATO mission of peace for that war-torn region. John was a member of Second Baptist Church, Huntsville, and previously First Baptist Church, Thomasville. He held the honor of being an Eagle Scout, was an avid outdoorsman, athlete, and was outstanding in a number of sports at Thomasville High School. He served as an assistant coach on numerous children’s athletic teams. He was a loving father and devoted husband who loved his family very much. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Mitchell, Steve Baker, Syd Mitchell, Greg DeBay, Steve Allbritton, Luke Allbritton, Wil Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, John B. Mitchell, Danny Allbritton and Raleigh Adams. Services will be held Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 11 AM Sam Houston Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. Interment will follow at Mayes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Second Baptist Church, 2517 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, Texas 77340 or to a charity of your choice. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family can do so at www.shmfh.com.

John Raymond Mitchell

March 19, 1959 - May 27, 2008