John Grant Mizell

MIZELL, John Grant, 94, of Richmond, passed away Sunday evening, September 21, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Helen Richards Mizell. He is survived by his son, John G. Mizell Jr.; daughter-in-law, Anna Marie Hannigan Mizell; and two grandsons, J. Grant Mizell III and Page Thomas Mizell. Mr. Mizell was former Postmaster of the City of Richmond, having retired from that position September 15, 1978 after approximately 41 years of government service. He was a native of Fredericksburg, Va., having moved with his family to Richmond in 1917. Mr. Mizell attended public schools in Richmond, graduating from John Marshall High School. He attended the University of Richmond and the Evening School of Business Administration of the University of Richmond. Mr. Mizell entered the Postal Service in Richmond in 1937 as a substitute clerk. While on active duty during World War II, he spent 29 months with the Military Police Corps as an investigator. Upon completion of military duty, he returned to the Richmond Post Office and held various supervisory positions, including Chief Personnel Officer, Chief of Administrative Services and Assistant Postmaster. He was appointed Acting Postmaster November 30, 1962 and was appointed Postmaster by President John F. Kennedy April 2, 1963. He held that position until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Mizell was a member of Grace Baptist Church, where he had served as a member of the Board of Deacons and the Personnel Committee. He was Past President of the Richmond Federal Executive Association and Past President of the Virginia Chapter, National Association of Postmasters of the United States. He was a Past Commander of Federal Post No. 141, American Legion; and Past President, National Federated Craft No. 92. Mr. Mizell was a member of the Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207, AF&AM (now Westhampton Lodge No. 302), a member of Richmond Scottish Rite Bodies and ACCA Temple. He was President of ACCA Temple Band 1951-1955. Mr. Mizell was elected ACCA Temple's 67th Potentate in 1972 and served as Recorder of that fraternity in 1980-1981. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 24, at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road, Richmond. Cemetery service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church; Shriners' Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 9217, Richmond, Va. 23227; Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center in Richmond; or HopeTree Family Services (formerly known as Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services), P.O. 849, Salem, Va. 24153.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.