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JOHN MITCHAM Obituary
He was born on January 1, 1923 to Clarence Mitcham and Dorothy (Benson) Mitcham and was the first baby born that year in Spokane, WA. John was the oldest of 6 siblings, Glen, Bonnie, Barbara, Beverly and Clarence "Skip" Mitcham.
John was married on October 4, 1946 to Carol Ann (Downing) Mitcham.
John graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane. He served in World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard, and participated in clean-up of the battle of Attu, and establishing a LORAN station there. He attended Gonzaga University.
John spent his career as a journalist. He worked as a reporter for The Spokesman Review, Fishing and Hunting News in Spokane, WA, The Daily Interlake in Kalispell, MT and finished his career as an editor for the Skagit Valley Herald in Mount Vernon, WA. His articles and editorials are extensive and cherished by his family.
After retirement in 1991, John and Carol moved to Endicott. They have many lifelong friends from all over the state of Washington. John's hobbies included woodworking, painting, golf and collecting a good bottle of Merlot.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol Ann Mitcham, his son Craig Edwin Mitcham (Linda) and daughter's Larinda Carol Bjork (Bruce), Leslie A.M. Cloaninger (Craig) and Meagan Tracy Stockman (Brad); his grandchildren, Jeffrey Mitcham, Jenni Belisle, Kirsten Pickens, Eric Bjork, Katie Cloaninger, Adam Cloaninger, Nathaniel Stockman and Nolan Stockman; his great-grandchildren, AnnaBell Belisle, Janessa Belisle, Chandler Mitcham, Kyla Mitcham, Isabella Bjork, Ava Pickens, Josie Pickens and Brody Pickens. John is also survived by his sisters Barbara McKittrick, Beverly Coffin and brother Clarence "Skip" Mitcham.
A Memorial service for John will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Endicott Washington on Saturday, March 12th at 3:00pm for the Memorial service. Please send remembrances to Trinity Lutheran Church in Endicott WA. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOHN MITCHAM
5 Entries
March 15, 2011
The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of John B. Mitcham for your loss, to honor his service to our country and our patriotic hero.
Linda Anne House, Founding Member
Sandra Kokinda
March 12, 2011
Dear Carol, Lorinda, Craig, Leslie, Morgan, and family,
I have always admired Uncle John's writing abilities and loved reading his articles in the Skagit Valley Herald. His words painted wonderful pictures of characters and places I enjoyed reading about. I was always so proud to share with people he was my uncle!
My sincere condolences to your family as you go through this difficult time.
Sandra Kokinda (Barb's daughter)
Connie Bain-Peterson (Schlaht)
March 10, 2011
Barbara & Skip ~ Thinking of you at this time.
Dr. Lawrence Pirkle
March 9, 2011
John and I were in the Mount Vernon Rotary Club together for many years. He had a dry sense of humor that I always enjoyed. John spent many years as a journalist for the Skagit Valley Herald when the paper would report the news and not just their side of the story. John will be missed by all who knew him. I would refer to him as one of the last of the good guys.
Don Coughlin
March 9, 2011
John was a wonderful journalist and a friendly news competitor during my tenure with KBRC in the early 70's. We enjoyed many conversations about the issues of the day and covered nearly every major event in the Skagit Valley during that time. We became more than casual aquintances. He was honest, reliable, perceptive and very helpful to a leaning and struggling news director for a small town radio station. I liked him very much. He taught me much. I respected him much. Craig and I worked in Real Estate later and he knows how sincere I am about his dad. John was a missing link for the Herald after retirement. He was a blessing for all who were privileged to know him and read his many articles.
With Great respect.
Don Coughlin
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