Obituary of Robert H. Mitchell, Jr. December 27, 1943 - October 17, 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Harold Mitchell Jr. (Bob), who passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Timber Ridge Nursing Center in Jasper, Texas at the age of 80.
Bob was native of Bellefontaine, Ohio and had lived in Iceland, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Germany. In retirement, Bob had resided in Jasper Texas since 2000.
Bob joined the US Air Force in 1964 then changed branches in 1970 to the US Army. It was in the US Army that he served in the Republic of Vietnam where the South Vietnamese Government awarded him the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
In the US Army in non-combat related roles, he served as a senior communications officer in radar programs, the last 8 years of which he was stationed at the White House with the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). As a Presidential communications officer he traveled extensively internationally and nationally in support of Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan.
In 1984 after 20 years of service he retired honorably as Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4), earned the rare Presidential Service Badge, was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) along with many additional decorations and accolades.
After the military, he was recruited by the Exxon Corporation. At Exxon he enjoyed international assignments that took he and his family to Bangkok, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He retired from Exxon as a senior information technology executive of 16 years out of Houston, TX.
In retirement, post Exxon, Bob was an active member of the community including his 20-year participation with the Lakes Area Cruisers classic car club. During this time, he led the full restoration with friends and local sponsors of three classic automobiles from 1968, the Dodge Coronet R/T, Charger R/T and Dart GTS. He was also a member of the Jasper Country Club as he was an avid and passionate lifelong golfer.
Earlier in life supporting his son, he was both a Cub and Boy Scout leader and served as an Assistant Scout Master of Troop #34 in Morristown, NJ and Troop #701 in Bangkok, Thailand. Bob was a Little League baseball coach for many years in Springfield, VA & Morristown, NJ. Earlier in life, Bob mastered flying remote control model airplanes (RCMA). Bob won the Georgia State Championship for Pattern Flying in 1975. Bob, along with his family, was an avid world traveler enjoying many cities and countries across Asia & Europe.
Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Ann Mitchell of Jasper, Texas; son, Robert Harold Mitchell, III and wife Shannon Gail Mitchell of Conroe, Texas; brother, Perry Mitchell of Rushsylvania, OH and grandchildren, Robert H. Mitchell, IV and Jaquelyn Audrey Mitchell as well as several wonderful sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews and cousins across the country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Frances Mitchell; sister, Kathy Blair and brother, Daniel Mitchell of Rushsylvania, Ohio.
Local memorial services for Bob are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home of Jasper, Texas. A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held on a later date.
Final interment for Bob will appropriately be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In Arlington he shall be laid to rest with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Folds of Honor, as proceeds will benefit families of fallen US servicemen. Donations can be arranged from the Folds of Honor homepage below.
