John Washington Mitchell, 80

John Washington Mitchell, 80, of Hendersonville, died Sunday, February 4, 2018, at his home after a recent stroke. He was born December 18, 1937, in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of the late John Washington and Charlotte McLane Mitchell.

John worked for many years as a program manager in the telecommunications field in Melbourne, Florida, as well as Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After marrying Alice in 1995, they relocated to the Cummings Cove community in 2001 from Falls Church, Virginia. John was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville for over 16 years. Not only did he serve as an usher, John was as an active participant in Sunday school and religion classes and enjoyed numerous church field trips. He volunteered in the community not only as a Stephen Minister, but most recently volunteered his time at Hendersonville’s Interfaith Assistance Ministry. John also served on the Cummings Cove Design Review Board. He loved golf, fishing, shooting pool, and rooting for his alma mater, Ohio State. He loved his home, his family, his birds, his big cat “Zachary”, and watching sporting events on television.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Alice Mitchell, of Hendersonville, one son, Chris Mitchell and his wife Rita and one daughter, Kelly Mitchell, all of Palm Bay, Florida. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Nanci Mitchell of Colombia, South Carolina and Blake Mitchell of Palm Bay, Florida as well as one step-daughter, Lin Petrucci, of Portland, Oregon.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Jean Goodwin officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in John’s memory, be made to his favorite charity, Interfaith Assistance Ministry at P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.