Albert Russell Mitchell

Albert Russell Mitchell, 83, of Harrisonburg, VA, died January 24, 2014, at the University of Virginia Hospital after injuries suffered in a fall. He was born on August 27, 1930, in Pueblo, Colorado, and was the son of the late Hugh Duncan and Pearl Russell Mitchell. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 during the Korean conflict and later served in the reserves, reaching the rank of Major. Al was a graduate of the University of Colorado and received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He taught accounting and tax at various universities, including the University of Iowa, and served as Dean of the School of Business at West Texas State University in Canyon, TX. After retiring from Ernst & Young in 1989 as partner and National Director of Tax Education, he moved to Harrisonburg to return to the university teaching that he loved. In 1995, he retired as Director of the School of Accounting at James Madison University. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Keezletown Ruritan Club, Rotary International, and Eureka Lodge #195 AF&AM Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed railroad history, motorcycle riding, and photography. On June 27, 1954, he married Celia Phillips Mitchell who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Helen Hubbard and husband, Nick DeBerry, of Washington DC, Irene Graham and husband, Mike, of St. Louis, MO, and Mary Alexander of Potomac Falls, VA; one son, Russ Mitchell and wife, Susan, of Lancaster, PA; and seven grandchildren, Ben Hubbard and wife, Sara Miner, Chris Graham, Pat Graham, Kevin Mitchell, David Mitchell, Shane Alexander, and Carly Mitchell. A memorial service will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 am at Asbury United Methodist Church with Pastor Stephen D. Hay officiating. A reception at the church will follow the service. Interment at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens will be private with military honors by Dayton American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, or Asbury United Methodist Church Building Projects, 205 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com