Obituary of John Mitchell

John Hampton Mitchell was born on Wednesday, January 28, 1931, in Frankfort, Kentucky, and peacefully passed away in his sleep on May 21, 2024, at the age of 93. He was the beloved son of Geneva Moore Mitchell and Hampton O’Dell Mitchell and a devoted lifelong resident of Frankfort. John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a cherished friend to many. His kindness and humor left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt. Affectionately known as Johnny growing up, he attended Second Street School and was a 1949 graduate of Frankfort High School. In school, John was a skilled athlete, excelling as a pitcher in baseball and a point guard in basketball. His love for sports extended beyond his school years as he coached little league baseball and even built his own "Field of Dreams" on the family farm for his team to practice. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Frankfort, John’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He had a passion for singing, often performing solos of his favorite hymns, "O Holy Night" and "How Great Thou Art". It was within these church walls that he met his soul mate and life partner, Tillie Mae Jackson. They married there in 1953 and shared nearly 65 beautiful years together until Tillie's passing in 2018. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later in the Army Reserves and National Guard. After the war, he dedicated 32 years to working at IBM in Lexington, commuting daily with friends in a carpool from Frankfort. Remarkably, John, an avid motorist, drove for 78 years without ever receiving a traffic ticket or having a single accident. John had a deep love for the outdoors and farming, spending countless evenings and weekends working on the family farm. Later in life, he found joy tending to his yard, tinkering in his workshop, and feeding the birds and wildlife that visited his feeders. John was a true friend, always ready to grab his toolbox and rush out to assist a neighbor or drive a friend wherever they needed to go. Each fall, he was especially vigilant and valiant, battling the leaves in his yard and his neighbors’ on Chippewa Trail astride his trusty John Deere riding mower. Before the pandemic, he was a dedicated member of the East Frankfort McDonald's daily breakfast crew. In recent years, he could often be found enjoying afternoons at his favorite restaurant, Frisch’s, or spending time at the Fish and Game Farm, feeding the ducks and geese. John is survived by his daughter Gail Mitchell Hoyt, and his son Robert Mitchell, along with their spouses William Hoyt and Stacy Cooper Mitchell. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Ginny Hoyt, Jessica Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell, and Andrew Mitchell Hoyt; and three nephews, Allen Leigh, David Leigh, and Mike Leigh. Services to honor John's life will be held at Rogers Funeral Home in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Saturday, May 25th. Visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the service at 11:00 a.m. A committal service with military honors will follow in the Frankfort Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Franklin County Humane Society, First Baptist Church of Frankfort, or a charity of your choice in John's memory. His legacy of love, service, and humor will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched.