Wilson Matthew Mitcham Jr.

Wilson was born in St. Louis, MO, and moved to Atlanta as a small child. He attended Christ the King School and Marist High School. He began his college studies at Gordon Military College and then transferred and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1952, He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. (He was an avid Dawg Fan his entire life!) Following college he served two years in the Army, during which time he married his first wife, Anne Halter Mitcham. They raised four wonderful Sons together, the source of his greatest pride all of his life.

For most of his career he was a residential Real Estate Developer on the north side of Atlanta. Being a true Atlantan and a Southern Gentleman, he was one of the founding members of the Buckhead Boys, was involved for many years in heading up the NYO Football/Baseball Association, and was a President of the St. Pius Athletic Association.

Wilson was well known for being a grand host and loved nothing more than having Family and Friends over, the more the merrier! ((Whether it was at Lake Rabun, camping, at the beach, the mountains, or at home.)) He was always asking,”What can I get you?”-and one minute later you would have a drink in your hand. He made it his mission to have conversation with every person in the room; so your glass was never empty and your heart was always full. (Even his grandkids, when they got older, called a drink from Gandy a “Gandy Pour”.)

Wilson had a way of making everyone he spoke with feel like they were the most important person in the room. young or old, from any walk of life, he always found common ground with whomever was in front of him and devoted his whole attention to them. Nowhere was this more evident than when he was with his grandchildren. One Granddaughter said being with her “Gandy” was like having a “magical fairytale grandfather”. Whether he was talking to a 25 year old about career choices, allowing a 15 year old with a learners permit to “open her up” with his car on Roswell Road, discussing Little League with a 10 year old, or playing Pretty, Pretty Princess with a 5 year old, his grandchildren knew deep in their hearts, at that moment in time, that they were the most important person in their grandfather’s life. It must also be noted that he was an avid card player when the grandkids were at his house. From Old Maid and Go Fish, to poker, the competition was fierce and the stakes (bragging rights) were high!

The entirety of this man’s long and loving life cannot be contained in a few short paragraphs, but the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as he was (and still is !) loved by so many. His legacy will continue.

Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Mathews Mitcham, Sr. and Helen Murphy Mitcham; sons, Christopher Mitcham and Mark Mitcham; brother Jack Mitcham; grandson Trenton Hallberg; and favorite brother-in-law, Vic Tilley.

Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 34 years, Martha Poe Mitcham; sons Matt Mitcham III and Michael Mitcham; daughters-in-law Brenda Patterson Mitcham, Nancy King Mitcham and Jan Hughes Mitcham; his sister, Elizabeth Mitcham Kramer; step-children, Deborah Hallberg, Cathi Hallberg Smith(Pat), Kent Hallberg (Mara); grandchildren; Matthew Mitcham IV (Kate), Kristy Mitcham, Madison Mitcham, William Mitcham, Jack Mitcham, Rachel Mitcham, Becca Mitcham, Jennifer Hallberg, Sam Smith (Lily), Savannah Smith, Aaron Hallberg, Billy Hallberg, Henry Hallberg; and 4 great grandchildren; Will, Ava, Olivia, and Carolina; his lifelong Friends of some 80 years, Paul Creedon and Ham Stockton.

Due to the pandemic and the social distancing guidelines currently in place, the Family will hold a Memorial service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crosspoint Community Church in Roswell, Ga.