Jack Mitchell

SIKESTON, Mo. -- John P. "Jack" Mitchell, 75, of Sikeston died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 16, 1929, in Memphis, Tenn., son of Clay Alexander and Lucille Caroline Proffit Mitchell Sr. He and Patsy Ann Johnson were married July 7, 1950, at Caruthersville, Mo. She died Nov. 15, 1998.

Mitchell was a 1947 graduate of Sikeston High School, attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and Southeast Missouri State University. He was an offensive lineman with both college football teams.

He was a topographer with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Mitchell was part owner and operator of Sikeston Fruit and Produce Co. He worked for Malone and Hyde and in 1972 was promoted to sales manager and moved to Nashville, Tenn., and also attended Harvard Business School.

He retired in 1990 and when he moved back to Sikeston worked part time for Mitchell Insurance Agency. He formerly attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and was a past member of Sikeston Jaycees. He was chairman of Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in 1958 and president in 1959.

Survivors include two daughters, Cyd Lee of Webster Groves, Mo., Susie Baird of Greenville, S.C.; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call after noon Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with Monsignor Stephen Schneider officiating. Entombment will be in St. Paul's Episcopal Church Columbarium.