Phillip Andrew Mitchell
September 25, 1928 – March 31, 2020
Phillip (Phil) A. Mitchell passed away at his home on March 31, 2020, after battling leukemia. He was 91 years old. Phil was born out west into a share cropping family. After losing his father to a work-related accident, Phil’s family moved to Baltimore, MD. In 1945, at 17 and needing his mother’s written permission, Phil enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years, assigned to the Naval Fleet in the Pacific at the end of WWII. In 1951, Phil enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Southwest Asia and stateside. As an Expert Marksman, Phil was most proud of working as a Marksman Instructor at the pistol and rifle ranges. He also served as a Platoon Sergeant in the 8th & I Silent Drill Team in Washington, DC. Phil was proud of being one the first selections to work in the Marine Corps Data Processing Center in the 1960s. While in the service Phil furthered his education by going to college.
After his military career, Phil did a number of jobs including working for the Department of Transportation. He was the driver for the then Secretary of State, James Baker. After retiring, Phil became a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and was active up until his passing. He loved being part of the museum and considered them family. Phil was well known for his great ability to tell stories of his experiences in the United States Marine Corps and of travelling the world. Even in his 90s, Phil was able to recall and share stories from his service in the USMC with great clarity.
Phil was a very giving man and loved his Friday night dinners at Cracker Barrel. He knew just about everyone there, and the staff was extremely kind to him as well. Phil touched many people’s lives in a positive way and will be dearly missed. Active with his local church, he kept in touch with the Concordia Lutheran Church pastor and made sure to help with the holiday cheer. If you ever met Phil, you would remember him forever.
Phil is survived by his children Stephen, Shawn and Pamela, former wives Mildred and Sally, step-daughters Marci and Becki, and by many grand-children and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his cherished wife Shirley, son Roderick, and step-daughter Terri.
Burial will be at a later time at the National Quantico Cemetery. Phil will be buried in section 22 next to his wife, Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
A special person in so many ways; although Phil and I were a generation apart in age, we had much in common as Marines and NMMC Docents. When we first met in 2014, he had a mental block about my first name. We made it easy for him to remember me when I told it was “Colonel”!? We also shared the experience of loosing a beloved spouse. A kind, humorous, and caring man and friend. I’ll miss him deeply. Susan and I offer Phil’s family and friends our sincere sympathy.
Rest easy, Marine. You’ll be dearly missed.
Never had the honor of meeting Phil but Chris spoke highly of him.my condolences to his family and friends.
Phil will be missed by many for always having a story to tell and for bringing a smile to all he came in contact with. I was fortunate to share some good memories and laughs with Phil at the Cracker Barrel and on two or three other occasions. He made me feel like a true friend, maybe it was our past Naval backgrounds or just because of who Phil was. You always knew Phil was in the room with his very distinct laugh and joking style. You really would never think he was the age he told you he was. Truly, a kind and giving person!
R.I.P. Mr. Mitchell (Sailor/Marine), you lived a rewarding life!
Met Phil once but felt I knew him for many years thru my brother Chris’s stories that he would share with us.
You will be missed Phil but not forgotten.
Although I never met Phil, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with him on the phone once. I felt like I was talking to a family member. Most likely because Phil was family to my brother Chris and niece Alyssa. They always enjoyed their visits with Phil and from my one phone conversation with Phil ; it was obvious why they enjoyed his company so much. Phil was a real nice person and had a great sense of humor.
Met Phil once but felt I knew him for many years thru my brother Chris’s stories that he would share with us.
You will be missed Phil but not forgotten.
Phil was a special man and a true story teller, he would keep you on the edge of your seat for hours! He was a dedicated docent and truly loved all who came back to the red bench to visit him! He knew the museum very well and was very active. He would go out of his way to set up his table for the Marine Birthday Celebration as it was a true joy to be at his table for dinner. He made my family and I feel welcomed every year. If you made it to his home, Phil was a Master Gardner and know just about everything about every tree, plant and flower on his property and took great joy in telling you all the different types that he had. He was a giving man and I enjoyed watching him put so many smiles on so many others and many did not know the joy came from Phil. I met Phil through the NMMC in 2008 and had a special bond, we would look forward to our nightly phone calls to check in on each other and to see if he needed anything or just a chat. Phil will be missed as he touched so many in so many ways (one good deed deserves another as he handed you a mint)! God Bless You Mr. Mitchell and May you rest in peace. Semper Fi Marine Your Friend Chris and Family. My Sincere Condolence to the Family
Rest in Peace, Marine. The streets of Heaven have another great protector. My condolences to Phil’s family. Semper Fi.,
Charlie
Charles Huha, former Cpl. 8th & I Drill Platoon, 1959-1961
Even though I never met Phil, A Marine is never a Stranger to another Brother Marine. Phil may your Journey to Eternal Life be a Spiritual and Joyful one. You earned the Path for that journey May you Rest In Peace.
To the loving family of U.S. Marine Phillip Mitchell, please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences.. Although I did not know Phil, after reading about him, it is clear that he was a SPECIAL man / Marine and that he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him! Like Phil, I also served at the Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, S.E., Washington, DC (the oldest active post in the Corps). For more information about Phil’s 8th & I assignment and Silent Drill Platoon duties, please visit the 8th & I Reunion Association’s website, www.8thandi.com. Rest in peace, Phil! Well done, Marine! God Bless the Mitchell family! …. John T. Reim, 8th & I Marine, Ceremonial Guard Company, Silent Drill Platoon,1958-1961, Franklinville, NJ “Semper Fidelis”
Going to miss you at the museum. I looked forward to seeing you and talking to you.
Spent many days since 2011 with Phil while he worked “The Boat” in the WWII Gallery, Iwo area. He was always upbeat and full of fun. I’m sure he was a great Marine because he such a great man. My prayers and condolences to his family. Semper Fi, Jay Campbell