He graduated from Young High School in Knoxville and later attended University of Tennessee where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts. After college, Don joined his family business Knoxville Scenic Design Studio where he designed stages and backdrops for over fifty years.
Don was an avid bowler and was a member of Smoky Mountains USBC Hall of Fame. He bowled for sixty years.
Don is predeceased by his parents and his daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and George Sampson.
Don is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jackie R. Mitchell, his son James Donald Mitchell II of Nashville, his stepdaughters Pam Monroe (Dan) and Lynn Jenkins (Mark), grandchildren Lauren Bowman (Matt), Burton Sampson (Rachel), Michael Sampson, Steven Sampson, Kristen Sampson, Clark Mitchell and Graham Mitchell. He is survived by his step-grandchildren Sam Monroe, Alex McMahan (Andrew), Trey Foster and one step great-grandson Kit McMahan. Don is also survived by his sister Lynn Montgomery.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home at 5315 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, TN 37919. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home followed by a committal service in the Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made in his memory to East Tennessee Foundation at 520 Summit Hill Drive Suite 1101 Knoxville, TN. 37902 or through their website at www.easttennesseefoundation.org
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