John A. Mitchell

John A. Mitchell, 82, a retired, and decorated Air Force Colonel passed away on October 9,2012. He was born April 13, 1930, in Pittsburg, PA to the late Charles and Erma Mitchell. John joined the Air Force in 1950 and served with Valor in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his 31 years of service, he served as Vice Wing Commander at Clark AFB, Philippines and he flew the F84, F86, F100, B47, C130 and C130 gunships. He flew over 150 combat missions during the Vietnam War for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from the Air Force in 1980 to work for Lockheed in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. for 10 years. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clara Mitchell, and two children: daughter Karen Jensen (husband, Richard), son, MAJ (Ret) John (wife, Ann) and brother Thomas Mitchell. He is preceded in death by five siblings. He adored his two grandchildren, Lauren Pickens and Mitchell Jensen through grandfather/granddaughter dancing and cub scouts. A memorial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2012 at First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Visitation will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home & Crematory (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.