John A. Mitchell “Mitch”

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 in Hope and graduated in 1958 from Hope High School. He graduated from Valley City State Teachers College in 1963 where he earned a Major in Physical Education and a Minor in Mathematics and Industrial Education. He then received his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota in 1969. John began his education career in 1963 where he taught and coached in both Courtney and Hatton, ND. John moved to Grand Forks in 1966 where he taught math and industrial arts at South Jr. High and was an assistant boys basketball coach at Central High School.

In 1976, John started 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 coached girls basketball and softball until his retirement in 2004. 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.

John’s favorite activities included camping with family and friends, motorcycle riding, zip lining, water skiing, refereeing, volunteering and going to the lake cabin. John 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 and Bennett Zitzer; siblings, Dennis Mitchell, Nancy Mortenson and Bob Mitchell.

Funeral services will be at 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. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks.