Wade Mitchell

MITCHELL, Wade

Of all the many accomplishments in Wade Treutlen Mitchell's long and impactful life, perhaps the most noteworthy, was his ability to stay utterly humble amid all of his success. In noted sports journalist Gene Asher's book, Legends: Georgians Who Lived Impossible Dreams, Asher called Wade a "Renaissance Man" who had already been "inducted into more Halls of Fames than most heroes would see in a lifetime." And yet, Wade was a reluctant hero, much preferring the quiet company of his family and close friends, to the spotlight that followed him from a young age.

Wade was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Walter Marshall Mitchell and Ethel Niall Mitchell on May 19, 1935. He grew up in Brookwood Hills, where he got his first job at age 10, delivering newspapers on his bicycle every morning at sunrise. That work ethic would be a hallmark of Wade's life. He attended Mrs. Bloodworth's Kindergarten, E. Rivers Elementary School and North Fulton High School, where he was an Eagle Scout, perennial honor roll student and a four-sport star in football, basketball, track and swimming. He was twice selected for the Georgia High School All-State football and basketball teams.

After graduating from North Fulton, Wade attended Georgia Tech on a football scholarship, where he was the starting quarterback, safety and kicker under legendary coach, Bobby Dodd, who called Wade "one of the finest men I ever coached." Wade led the Yellow Jackets to four consecutive winning seasons (1953-1956), four consecutive victories over the University of Georgia, and four consecutive bowl game wins in the Gator Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl, twice. Wade was named MVP of the 1957 Gator Bowl and inducted in the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame. He also led Georgia Tech to victory in the 1956 Sugar Bowl, which was the first integrated football game played in the history of the Deep South. True to his character, Wade joined others in voicing opposition to efforts by Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin, to block Tech from playing Pittsburgh, an integrated team. The opposition succeeded and Wade went on to score all the points needed to secure the Jackets 7-0 Sugar Bowl victory. Wade also served as co-captain of the 1956 team.

Wade's achievements on the gridiron gained him a spot in the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also a two-time All-SEC and three-time Academic All-SEC selection, a first-team Academic All-American and he remains Georgia Tech football's lone representative in the Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

Wade was as accomplished in the classroom as he was on the football field. He graduated from Georgia Tech in June of 1957, as the Valedictorian of his class, with a Bachelor of Science in Textile Management, and was inducted in the Georgia Tech Engineering Hall of Fame. Wade also served in the ROTC at Georgia Tech and received the Golden Sword award, as the highest-ranking Cadet in the Corps of Cadets. He was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Wade was drafted to play professional football by the Washington Redskins, but turned down the offer to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. He served as a Lieutenant on a naval destroyer based in Charleston, South Carolina from 1957 to 1959. After finishing his service in the Navy, Wade attended the Harvard Business School in 1961 on the J. Spencer Love Fellowship, where he met his wife of 58 years, Mary Lu Wright Mitchell.

Following his graduation from Harvard, Wade entered the management trainee program with Trust Company Bank of Georgia (now Truist Bank), where he worked for 31 years, retiring as Executive Vice President in 1993. In addition to a distinguished banking career, Wade also devoted significant time and attention to his board duties with the Pan American Beverage Company, which his father helped start along with other Atlanta executives in 1941. Wade enjoyed frequent travels to Latin America with his wife and family while on Pan American business. He also served as a director of The Ivan Allen Company.

Wade felt strongly that success in life was based not on what you accomplished in business, but rather how much of a difference you made in your community. To this end, Wade had a lengthy civic career. He served on the Atlanta Board of Aldermen (now the City Council) from 1969 until 1973. Wade also held board positions in many civic organizations including the Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc., LifeLink Foundation, Inc., United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of American Red Cross, Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, U.S.O Council of Georgia, Inc., Canterbury Court, Trees Atlanta, Atlanta Partnership of Business and Education, Shepherd Spinal Center, Private Industry Council of Atlanta, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Big Brother/Big Sister, Inc. and MARTA.

Wade was named Outstanding Young Man of Atlanta by the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce (1970) and Outstanding Young Man of Georgia by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce (1970). In recognition of his life of professional and civic service, Wade was inducted as Buckhead Boy of the Year in 1994.

Despite Wade's many accomplishments, his proudest role was that of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Wade coached his children's sports teams and was a constant fixture at their school activities. Wade (known as "Pop" to his grandchildren) carried on this tradition by regularly attending his grandchildren's games and activities, well into his 89th year. Wade believed in the importance of strong values and good character, which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. His late wife Mary Lu, was fond of saying that Wade was the only person she ever knew who was "cut from whole cloth," meaning in her eyes he was pretty much perfect. And in so many ways, he was.

Wade was predeceased by his wife, Mary Lu Wright Mitchell; and his brothers, Walter Marshall Mitchell, Jr. and William Niall Mitchell. He is survived by his son, Wade Wright Mitchell (Antonia); and daughter, Catherine Mitchell Jaxon (James Jay III); and 5 grandchildren, Wade Harrison Mitchell, Alexia Reynolds Mitchell, Niall Elizabeth Jaxon, Harper Holland Jaxon and James Jay Jaxon IV.

The family will hold a private burial service at Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible gift to The Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc. or LifeLink Foundation, Inc.