James W. Mitchell M.D.

1930 - 2020

James W. Mitchell, MD

Louisville - James W. Mitchell, 90, of Louisville, Colorado, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2020. Jim was born in Denver, CO, and grew up in Sterling, CO where he enjoyed sports, hunting and fishing. He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO on a Boettcher Scholarship, where he met the love of his life Joan C. Henderson. Jim and Joan were married in 1953 while he attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. After graduating Medical School, Jim completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. He then served 3 years in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Long Island, New York, ultimately achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, the family moved back to Colorado and settled in Greeley. In Greeley, Jim help found the Greeley Medical Group and was in private practice in Internal Medicine. He was Chief of Staff for the Weld County General Hospital during 1969-1970. From 1971 through 1995, Jim worked for Eastman Kodak, beginning in the Windsor (Colorado) plant. Initially serving as a Medical Consultant, he worked his way up to become the Corporate Medical Director for all of Kodak, which required a move to Rochester, NY (1982 to 1995). Jim retired in 1995, and moved with Joan to Fort Collins, CO, where he and Joan lived until 2015 when they moved to Louisville.

In addition to his work as a physician, Jim always kept busy. He was a clinical instructor, assistant clinical professor, and student sponsor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He also taught as an associate professor and was a student sponsor at University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University and University of Rochester, New York. Jim was actively involved as in many regional and national medical organizations, serving in multiple leadership positions. Locally, he was active member and President of the Greeley and the Pittsford (NY) Rotary Clubs, and a member of his children's school booster club in Greeley. As a booster club member, he was the football and wrestling team doctor. He was a longtime supporter of CU athletics and held football season tickets for over 50 years. In 1970, he served as co-chairman to the Greeley Centennial Celebration. In retirement, he continued to enjoy his love of CU and Bronco Football, volunteering (as a golf tournament official and at a Colorado Welcome Center), golf, fishing, music, travel, and reading.

Jim is survived by Joan his wife of 67 years, his sister Janet (Bud), sons Scott (Veronica), David (Debora), and John (Breana), daughter Nancy, grandchildren Kaitlyn, Daniel, Jack, Rebecca, Ana, Hannah, Jillian, Madison Kinney, Peter, Hunter Kinney, Sidney Watson, Samuel, sister-in-law Barbara Henderson, three nieces and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation be made to The Alzheimer's Association.