John A. Mitchell

John A. Mitchell “Mitch”, 79, Grand Forks, ND, died Monday, November 11, 2019 at home.

John Allen Mitchell was born August 25, 1940 in Hope, ND, the son of Fred and Thelma (Carmichael) Mitchell. He was raised and educated in Hope and graduated from high school in 1958. He graduated from Valley City State Teachers College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. He earned a Major in Physical Education and a Minor in Mathematics and Industrial Education. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota in 1969.

John began his educational career in 1963 at Courtenay, ND where he taught high school math and industrial arts classes. He also coached the football and basketball teams. In 1964, he moved to Hatton, ND where he taught at the high school and coached basketball. John moved to Grand Forks in 1966 where he taught math and industrial arts at South Jr. High. He was an assistant coach for boys basketball at Central High School.

In 1976, John started a small business called The Cycle Shack in Grand Forks which he owned and operated until 1993. That same year, he began working for the admissions department at the University of Minnesota Crookston. There, he held several positions within the athletic department including NCAA compliance officer, coached girls basketball and girls softball until his retirement in 2004.  John drove taxi cabs in Grand Forks for a short while just to keep busy. In 2005 he began what was to become his favorite job for the next 13 years, working as a greeter at the Altru Cancer Center.​​

Some of John’s favorite activities included camping with family and friends, motorcycle riding, zip lining, water skiing, refereeing, volunteering and going to the lake cabin. He was a proud winner of a Powerball prize.

John married Pricilla “Cookie” Allen on June 19, 1965. She survives along with their children, D’Lisa Campbell, Darin (Shannie) Mitchell and D’Ann (Jeff Erickson) Mitchell; grandchildren, Justin (Cassie Butterfass) Zitzer, Hayley Campbell, Kelsey (Ted) Solem, DJ Mitchell, Kaylee Mitchell and Rylan Mitchell; great grandchildren, Carson Stone, Bennett Zitzer; siblings, Dennis Mitchell, Nancy Mortensen and Bob Mitchell.

John was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Benjamin Campbell; brothers-in-law, Jim Allen, George Pierce and sister-in-law Barbara Allen. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Wesley United Methodist Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Visitation will continue for the hour after the service in the church.