Michael Alexander Mitchell

Michael Alexander Mitchell Obituary Michael Alexander (Irving Chesley) Mitchell was born on October 4, 1954 in Washington, D.C. to the late Geraldine Elizabeth Chesley and James Irving Alexander.  He was the oldest of four surviving children of Geraldine and Edgar Odom Mitchell, who were married in July 1960.  The family lived in Chicago, Illinois and Portland, Oregon.  Michael was predeceased by his parents and sister Barbara Ann Alexander.  He is survived by his siblings, Earnest (Ruby) Alexander, Michelle Mitchell, Maria (Chris) Okoko, Edgar (Lillie) Mitchell, Jr. and Matthew (Daria) Mitchell. 

 Michael was a good student and critical thinker.  In 1960, he started elementary school at St. Dorothy and also attended St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Schools in Chicago.  When the family moved in 1966 to Portland, Oregon, Michael attended Holy Redeemer Elementary School and Jesuit High School, where he graduated in 1972.  Mike loved playing basketball and earned a scholarship to Carroll College in Helena, Montana.  He decided to transfer to the University of Portland, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts/Science(?) in 1976.  Michael worked at Crown Zellerbach in Oregon and later attended Howard University where he earned a Master of Business Administration on July 28, 1979. 

During his time in Washington, D.C., Mike reconnected with his Alexander and Chesley family, enjoying Aunt Emma’s crab cakes, Aunt Lou’s lemon cake his Pop’s rhubarb concoctions!  Mike began attending weddings and family reunions.  He also developed his interest, passion and talent in photography!  He continued honing his photography skills, entering and winning many photo contests in Costa Rica, Mexico and the U.S.  Shortly after earning his MBA, Michael was offered a management role at Xerox Corporation and moved to Rochester, New York.  

Michael met Althea Richardson at a wedding in Rochester and they were married in 1991 in Chicago, Illinois.  They didn’t have any children and later divorced.  

Mike relocated to Sierra Vista, Arizona in 2009. Michael worked for the McDonalds franchise in Sierra  Vista to include the store in Benson as well as in Tucson. He worked for a short time for Teleperformance counseling the elderly on Medicare and Medicare Supplemental plans. He retired from them in 2018. While he suffered greatly the last few years of his life, he fought to live with every fiber of his being.  

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