Colonel James Melvin Mitchell, Jr., "Jerry", passed away on August 22, 2023, surrounded by family at the Byrne Center. He is remembered for his passion for "joie de vivre", great sense of humor and faith in Country and mankind.

Jerry was born September 21, 1929, in the shadow of the Marine Corps Barracks in Anacostia, Washington DC. He was a scholar and an athlete at Anacostia High School where, like many of his ancestors, he became a Marine, enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1947. He chose to matriculate at Dartmouth College in the Class of 1951. During his sophomore spring, he enlisted as a USN Naval Aviation Cadet and began what he referred to as his "semester abroad". The young 2nd Lieutenant was ordered to Korea in early 1950 and among the first aviators transferred to aid South Korea in their Korean War. He flew 88 missions in his Corsair off land and carriers, earning several commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After active-duty service, he returned stateside and enlisted in the Marine Reserves (USMCR). Jerry ultimately attained the rank of Colonel in 1973 before serving as Commanding Officer of his squadron in South Weymouth, MA. He reluctantly retired in 1989 having reached the age of 60.

After his three years of active duty service, Jerry returned to Dartmouth to complete a 5-year tour of duty including an MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. Jerry never claimed responsibility, simply grinning, when the story of a ground-hugging flight up Tuck Drive pulling up at the Baker Library tower was recounted by classmates. At Dartmouth he met the love of his life, Nancy Hayward one Sunday morning at services at St Thomas Church in 1954. They were married there in 1956 after a respectable length of courtship. In 1957, son William Hayward was born, followed in 1960 by James Hayward.

Following graduation, Jerry took a job with the Federal Reserve Bank in New York before migrating to IBM. During his 15-year run at IBM, with five moves packed in, Jerry both sold and managed computer sales for many clients including Prudential Insurance and General Dynamics. Notable involvement with the YMCA Indian Guides and Boy Scouts kept him engaged with the communities and his boys. While on monthly USMCR duty, he eventually flew A-4 Skyhawk fighter jets. He maintained contact with his family on summer vacation in New Hampshire by making treetop passes over Pleasant Lake before the FAA mandated minimum floors for airplanes north of Concord. That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Finally, he gave in to his family's interest in moving north to New Hampshire, and, together with Nancy, they bought Hanover's Dartmouth Travel Bureau in 1973. They spent 30 years growing the business adding 5 offices in 3 states and sending literally thousands of Dartmouth, Colby Sawyer and Middlebury students on foreign adventures. They also created a travel segment called "Alumni Travel" with Dartmouth Professors where they would eventually escort hundreds of Dartmouth Alumni "round the girdled earth" pursuing knowledge and passions for art, history and the evaluation of fine food with appropriately paired adult beverages.

When they weren't traveling, Jerry and Nancy enjoyed their 50 years in Hanover through several local community groups. Jerry's civic leadership roles included being President of Hanover Rotary in 1979 and leading the United Way Fund Drive with Nancy in 1993 and the American Red Cross. Jerry is remembered by others in this group as "a man of character….and a character himself". A proud Dartmouth alum, he was an award-winning Mini-Reunion Chairman for his Dartmouth Class of 1951. He and Nancy were longtime season ticket holders for football and hockey. They also participated in the associated Friends and Coaches' receptions. However, no group's attraction could challenge Jerry's devotion to St. Thomas Church. Jerry was the longtime Treasurer and a Senior Warden of the Church as well as a regular at the 8 a.m. communion services. He actively participated in Wednesday Bible Study classes building an impressive library. During his time in Hanover, he also became a lay minister and regularly helped to serve communion at these services.

An avid photographer beginning in Korea, Jerry immersed himself in that avocation with a clear passion as children, travel and eventually grandchildren came on the scene. Jerry migrated to the photographic slide as his media of choice and Kodak became a billion-dollar company thanks to his efforts. Grandchildren supplanted his own children as his targets shortly after Jim graduated from college. Six grandchildren sprouted during the following 15 years with the arrival of James, John, and Elizabeth to Bill and his bride Debra Bray in the mid-late 80s followed by Konrad, Sabin and Sophie to Jim and bride Joan Frankenstein beginning in the mid 90's. Throughout this period Hanoverites would see the Colonel with his Marine Korea hat, camera in hand, on many sidelines.

Jerry was pre-deceased by his parents James Melvin Mitchell and Thelma Christine Buell Mitchell along with his brother Robert Francis Mitchell.

In addition to his spouse of 67 years, children, and grandchildren he is survived by great-granddaughter Kayden Ann Mitchell as well as several cousins, nephews and nieces.

The family would love to thank all the caregivers who helped make the Colonel's glide path so smooth including the VA in WRJ, The Byrne Center @ DHMC and especially Stephen Liu, MD, and John Jayne, MD. After a four-plus year confrontation with dementia, he is finally at peace.

There will be a memorial service at St. Thomas Church on September 22, 2023 at 2pm with reception to follow with the family in the Parish Hall.

Donations may be made in recognition of Jerry's commitments to either St Thomas Church, Hanover or, in memory of Jerry's recent 8-year tenure as the oldest Marine at the Marine Corps Ball, the USMC Semper Fi Fund c/o Marine Corp Birthday Benefit, 8 Dresden Rd, Hanover, 03755.

 

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