Don William Mitchell Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Don William Mitchell 1936 - 2021 Don William Mitchell, 84, passed away in Tempe, Arizona on March 16. 2021 after a long battle with cancer and heart problems. Don was born on June 28, 1936 in Phoenix, Arizona, to William Joshua Mitchell and Martha Lavon Rust Mitchell. He was a financial executive and retired in 2001 after many years with United Television, Inc., now part of Fox TV. He graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1954, where he was active in the Army ROTC. He was awarded the American Legion Medal as the outstanding cadet each year, and rose to become second in command of the unit. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to Arizona State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree with Distinction in 1960. He also obtained a Master's Degree in Business from Brigham Young University in 1961. Later, he became licensed as a CPA in both Arizona and California. When the Berlin Crisis of 1961-1962 broke out, he was called to active duty with the Arizona Air National Guard, spending one year at Luke AFB, followed by five years in the active reserve. His business career included working as Secretary-Treasurer of Arizona Bancorporation, Treasurer of M.H. Sherman Company of Newport Beach, CA, and Manager of Finance and Administration for Hughes (Boeing) Helicopters, in Mesa, AZ. He was listed in several editions of Who's Who in the West and Who's Who in Finance and Industry. Don was also very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon or LDS), and served for two years in 1956-1958 as a missionary and Branch President in Minnesota and South Dakota. Through the years, he served in many teaching and leadership positions in the Church including two bishoprics, the high council and as stake clerk. After he retired, he and his beloved wife Betsy, served two full-time Senior Couple missions at the LDS Institute of Religion at ASU. Don enjoyed working closely with Betsy, (his angel and a genealogy consultant), for many years on family history projects. Don is survived by Betsy Martin Mitchell, his wife of 47 years, and five daughters, Susan (Nate) Wilkinson, Joanne (Tod) Sandberg, Nancy (Al) Dillard, Michelle (Paul) Hansen and Marlene, as well as 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Edith Joyce (Robert) McIntyre. Funeral services are pending, followed by internment at the Mesa City Cemetery, with Meldrum Mortuary handling the arrangements.

Don William Mitchell

June 28, 1936 - March 16, 2021