James "Mitch" Milton Mitchell

Jim “Mitch” was an outstanding human being, loved by all for his good humor, steady work ethic and supportive positivity, which he gave freely to others. He was one of the fastest to achieve the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant during his career in the US Marine Corps, awarded a Purple Heart, learned Japanese, piloted a private airplane, scuba dived along the reefs near Okinawa, Japan, worked with resettling refugees after returning from three tours of duty in Vietnam in the 60’s, received a medal for humanitarianism service from the USMC, became an Information Technology professional in computer programming, systems analysis, IT management and telecommunications, and was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend.

Due to the strict discipline of his high school in the 1950’s, Mitch was given a choice after pulling a harmless prank in typing class: expulsion or the Marine reserves. He chose the USMC, going active duty a few years later and proudly serving his country until his retirement 21 years later.

Young Jim married his high school sweetheart at the age of 19. He and Darlene Anderson (Cowdery) parented three children, James Brian, Deborah (Hansen) and Sandee (Wold). After they were grown, his first marriage was dissolved and he married Ruth Deacon, a colleague in the Information Systems department of Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska, a few miles north of Seattle, WA.

After his instrumental contributions to the development of such computer software systems as a large personnel system for the Marine Corps, Mitch continued to use his technical training in his civilian career for such companies as Peterbilt, Kaiser Aluminum, Grant County PUD (Washington) Swedish Hospital and Providence Hospital in Seattle. He retired from his IT career in 2002 at the age of 62. He and Ruth moved to Grand Junction, CO to be near Ruth's daughter Jen Thompson, her husband Jimmy Thompson and their two daughters, Grace and Emma, who affectionately refer to him as “Boompsie”.

Locally, Mitch was an active member of the Grand Valley Model Railroad Club, where he contributed to the construction of a large model at Cross Orchard Farms which models the tracks between Denver and Salt Lake City. He served as treasurer and vice president of that club and maintained his friendships with several of its members after he was unable to serve.

Mitch is survived by his wife Ruth, four children and their spouses, Jim and Lily Mitchel (chiropractor in Southern California), Debbie and Craig Hansen (RN BSN in Spokane, WA), Sandee Wold and Brian (national sales manager for Vertiv), and Jen and Jimmy Thompson (physician) of Grand Junction. He has nine grandchildren: Ryan (and Whitney), Justin (and Emily), Theo, Janessa (and Drew), Anthony, Josh (and Peighton), Conner, Grace and Emma, and six great-grandchildren. Multiple times before he left this world, Mitch told his family members that he was “so excited to soon be meeting his heavenly Father.” Mitch died as he lived, with courage, faith, love and joy in his heart and soul.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Mitchell family.