Donald Adelbert Mitchell, age 85, died peacefully at his home in Vero Beach, Florida, on August 20, 2012 in the presence of his loving family.
Don was born in India and spent the early years of his life living in Tokyo, Japan where his father was Headmaster of American Schools abroad. His family returned to the United States where he attended schools in Massachusetts. He graduated from University of Maine with a degree in engineering and earned his MBA at Harvard Business School. He served in WW2 in the US Navy and in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
Don began his career in the Boston area at Raytheon Corporation where he was Director of Commercial development and was part of the team responsible for developing the first commercial microwave ovens. He then joined General Dynamics corporate offices in New York as Director of Electronics responsible for electronic activities in the wide ranging fields of defense, nuclear submarines, missiles and telecommunications. He joined Rockwell International in Southern California where he was the Executive Vice President of the Microelectronics Group which included the calculator, watch and semiconductor divisions. Later he returned to New England where he became the President of Plessey Electronics USA. He spent the last 15 years of his career at GTE as the Corporate Vice President of Planning and Development retiring when the company merged with Verizon.
After living in various parts of the country, one of his most favorite places was the coast of Maine. He spent many summers there boating with his family. They chose to retire to the Vero Beach area in 1991 where he enjoyed tennis, golf, boating, travel and wood carving. He served as an active member on Boards at the Moorings Club and Oak Harbor. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean Nelson Mitchell. Together they have three children, Linda Mitchell of Salem, Massachusetts, Donald S Mitchell ( Linda) Encinitas, California and Janet King ( Michael) of Berthoud, Colorado. They have 7 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters Shirley Farmer of Hudson, MA and Mary Jane Miranda of Plattsburgh, NY and brother, Charles A. Mitchell of Falmouth, MA. He is preceded in death by his brother John A. Mitchell of Cumberland Foreside, ME.
Memorial Services will be planned at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the care of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.