Mr. Mitchell was born to the late JD and Ida Mae Mitchell in Augusta, GA. He was in the first graduating class of Butler H.S. ,1963, receiving a football scholarship to play on Vince Dooley’s first University of Georgia team. After a career ending knee injury, he became a Manager for the UGA Football team. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Letterman Club and the Secret Gridiron Society. He graduated from UGA with his Master of Education degree. Mr. Mitchell and the love of his life, Diane married at Bayvale Baptist Church in June of 1968. Mr. Mitchell taught DCT, Drafting and Drivers’ Ed at several schools in the CSRA and helped start several athletic programs, being the first head football coach at Westside H. S., and coaching for Glenn Hills HS, Butler HS and Harlem HS. He helped start CAYFA in Columbia County. With Pastors Sonny and Vicki Jones, he and Diane chartered Word of Life Church in Appling, GA in 1986 serving in many areas of ministry. Mr. Mitchell, a motivator and real “Go-Getter,” was passionately involved in family activities and many organizations. He was enthusiastic about getting people involved, always encouraging TEAM work-Together Everyone Achieves More. Mr. Mitchell loved the beach, boating on the lake, enjoying ball games and inspiring others with humorous and historical anecdotes. He was a loving husband, father, “GranDawg” to his grandchildren, brother, uncle and friend to many. Mr. Mitchell dedicated his life to the Lord as a young man, and later in life, he and his wife traveled to Israel where they were re-baptized in the Jordan River, and renewed their wedding vows in Jerusalem.
Mr. Mitchell is preceded in death by his parents, JD and Ida Mae Mitchell and his brother, Charles Mark Mitchell. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Athena Diane Dorn Mitchell; children, Danielle Short (Raymond), Dana Wilson (Clay) and James “Jim” Daniel Mitchell III; sister, Kathleen Mitchell Johnson (Joseph); sister-in-law, Linda Mitchell; mother-in-law, Athena Rabun Dorn; grandchildren, Zachary Wilson, Bethany Wilson, Jonathan Short, Nicholas Short (Anna) and Athena K. Short; nephews, Eric Simpson (Claudia) and Travis Simpson (Kristin); niece, Leann Rodgers (Kevin) and many other nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 1pm at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2700 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA 30906. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Crossing Health Center, 6698 Washington Rd, Appling, GA 30802; Heartland Hospice, 153 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907; Word of Life Church, 6389 Washington Road, Appling, GA 30802; or Christian Learning Centers of Augusta BIBLE RT, www.clcaugusta.org.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral home will be following all CDC guidelines. We will be practicing social distancing and requiring masks.
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