On Thursday March 11, 2021 George F. Mitchell, died unexpectedly at his new Arizona home as the result of long-standing health conditions. George was a Mighty Man of God! He described himself as a Lover of God, husband, father, friend, and patriot. Those that knew him understood him to be quirky, oh so funny, and wise all at the same time. George had a peacemaker’s heart and was able to make practically everyone feel at ease.
George was born on September 4, 1952 to William Mitchell and Mary (Koch) Mitchell. George was a brilliant man and graduated Grover Cleveland High School, in Queens NY at the age of 16. He then attended University of Maryland, where he studied Journalism.
In 1973 he was drafted into the Army. In an attempt to avoid Vietnam, George enlisted into the Air Force. Unfortunately, he was not able to avoid Vietnam and did at least one tour of duty there. He proudly served in the Air Force Special Forces, Combat Air Traffic Control and earned several awards and distinctions. After Vietnam, George continued to serve the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and trainer in the Philippines, Japan, England, and the United States.
After 11 years in the Air Force George returned to school at ECPI, in Virginia Beach, VA and earned a degree in computer/electrical engineering in 1989. He then worked for Xerox for several years before moving to upstate New York in 1994-95. There, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior on his birthday. In 2017 George became an ordained Minister of Jesus Christ through the National Association of Christian Ministers.
On January 11, 1997 he married the love of his life, Samantha and became a father to her daughter, Hannah-Marie. George understood and gladly accepted the role of husband and father. The new family moved to Vermont that spring where George worked as a chef and had several other jobs in the Burlington area. To spend more time with his family he returned to school to update his computer engineering skills and worked for Staples and State Farm as a computer tech and regional support specialist before landing a job with General Dynamics and finally Inserso as a Computer Systems Engineer and contracted out to the Office of Homeland Security, ICE.
George was preceded in death by his mother Mary (Koch) Mitchell, his father William Mitchell, Sr and his eldest brother William Mitchell, Jr.
George is survived by his wife of 24 years Samantha Mitchell of Mesa AZ; his daughter Hannah-Marie Mitchell and her fiancé Christopher Dupee of Burlington, VT; his sister-in-law Linda Mitchell of Franklin, VA; his brother Alvin Mitchell of Essex Junction, VT; his sister MaryAnn VanArsdale and her husband George of Virginia Beach, VA and his brother Robert Mitchell of Essex Junction, VT; as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, out-laws, and friends, ministry partners and of course his beloved dog Jake.
Mountain View Funeral Home of Mesa, AZ will be handling the cremation and military honors. There will be a memorial service in Virginia Beach, VA at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Feed My Starving Children, your local food shelf or veteran’s organization of your choice in George’s honor.
prayers for peace and strength for the family
I had the pleasure of working with George in Williston, VT. George was a great guy to be around and we had many lively conversations. I regret that his time in his new home in Arizona was so brief. George will be missed.
I will miss all of the terrific stories. My condolences on the loss of a great man. Rest in Peace George.