Edgar Mixan

1932 - 2017

Edgar J. Mixan, 84, of Alexandria, passed away quietly at home on February 9, 2017. Born June 14, 1932 in Waukegan, Illinois, he was the son of Anton and Angeline Mixan. After a varied prep school life of academics and athletic achievement in various sports, notably football, he graduated in 1950 from Waukegan Township High School, then attended Marquette University in Wisconsin on scholarship. Edgar was a multi-tasker before they invented the word, balancing football as a four-year letterman, academics as a Business Administration major, ROTC, and dating Margaret, his future wife of 60 years. With a variety of options, including a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, he for reasons unknown choose the United States Army. It was the perfect choice, spending 28 years in various assignments including Germany, Korea, two tours of Vietnam, and the Sinai in Egypt. In addition to his two Battalion Commands, one in Vietnam, and one in Colorado, he was the Commander of the Joint Task Force charged with the largest nuclear waste clean-up project in the history of the United States in the Eniwetok Atoll. Post-JTF, he was the Commander of the Army's Facilities Engineering Support Agency that had worldwide responsibility for power generation in support of US Forces, including the backup power for the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. After retiring as a full Colonel, he followed his military career with 28 years in Parsons-Brinckerhoff Engineering as their project manager of facilities maintenance in service to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. He directed maintenance services for WMATA's tunnels, bridges, stations, and parking lots - or in his words, those things that no one notices until there is a leak. Personable and gregarious, he was more than a Father and Husband, he was a Friend. He is survived by three of his children: Mary Ann, Anthony, and Ronald; 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; his sister Rosemary Miks and her husband John of Wheat Ridge, CO; and his brother Anthony of Grayslake, IL. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret of 60 years, and his eldest son William. Services and burial will be later at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the Family requests donations be made in honor of Edgar J. Mixan to: The Catholic Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22203-3728.