Randall Mitchell

Randall Jack Mitchell, 74, of Hoover, Alabama, died peacefully on April 25, 2020, surrounded by wife, Cathy and his son Brian after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Mitchell, of Hoover, Al; a daughter, Colleen Mitchell Savage (Raven), of San Juan, CA; a son, Brian Mitchell of Hoover, Al.; a brother, Steve Mitchell and a sister Kay Mitchell both of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren River Mitchell Shiro, Sonny Mitchell Shiro, Jehalin Savage, Akira Sloan Savage, of San Juan, CA. and several cousins in the Georgia, Colorado and Florida area.

Randall was born July 25, 1945 in Biloxi, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents Oneil Jones Mitchell and Jack Vernon Mitchell, and his brother Mark Mitchell all of Atlanta, Ga. Randall was known as Randy to most of his family and friends growing up in Decatur GA. He loved playing and watching baseball growing up and greatly enjoyed watching and pulling for The University of Georgia football (Go Dawgs). He graduated from Avondale High School in1963. He graduated from Georgia State University in 1967, majoring in Mathematics and was president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity in his senior year. He started his career in retail store managerial positions and soon thereafter, he became self-employed in the whole sale business world of gifts and table-top accessories. He loved the industry and due to his personality, his customers were also his friends.

He married Cathleen “Cathy” Mitchell in 1971 and they were happily married for 48 years. Randy greatly enjoyed being the father of Colleen and Brian and attending their activities of musical programs, sports; cross country races and baseball games, as well as, coaching Brian’s soccer teams. Randy’s own passion was playing tennis. He played at Green Valley Country Club (now known as Hoover Country Club) and was very competitive in intra-club leagues, as well as, in matches with friends. He would play 3-4 days a week with neighbors, David Stark and Greg Beer. He was a former captain of his team and a club champion. He was forced to stop playing in his early 50s due to Parkinson’s Disease but his competitive nature never ended.

When Randy could no longer play tennis, he taught himself to play competitive contract bridge on line. He met and played with people all over the world through on-line groups and later joined the Birmingham Contract Bridge Association where he played 3-5 days a week and made so many wonderful friends. He played weekly with his partner, Gordan Dunkin, until his advanced PD prevented him. He missed the social aspects of this group “almost” as much as the competitiveness.

Randy continued to be a social person and enjoyed getting together with friends and family. His friends from his neighborhood, business, tennis and bridge stayed in touch. He loved being included in get-togethers with long-time Birmingham friends, Jack & Connie Howard, Peggy Crowley & family, Gordan & Mary King Dunkin, Greg & Evelyn Beer in Birmingham, visits with Hugh & Nancy Platten of Pensacola, FL., Marris & Kay Johnson of Atlanta, GA., and Al & Jan Kloss of Michigan.

In his last years, he continued to love to be with people, and his favorite place to socialize was at Canterbury Methodist Church’s Encore Adult Respite Group. He was able to go and be with friends for 4 hours a day, enjoy challenging activities, fun group games, discuss and celebrate monthly special events, and have lunch with them. Randy sense of humor and kindness provided a life full of laughter and good friends. He enriched our lives. He’ll be missed by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Randy Mitchell’s Life will be held at a later date and will be shared with family and friends.

If desired, memorials in his name may be made to: Encore Adult Respite Group at Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Birmingham, AL, 35213, (205 871-4695) canterburyumc.org OR The American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Alabama Chapter, 1720 7th Avenue South, SC 350N, Birmingham, Al 35294 (205 934 9100) Email: llieb@uab.edu