Riley Dewitt Mixson
1936 - 2022
Riley Dewitt Mixson
1936 - 2022
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Riley Mixson Obituary
Admiral Mixson did not come from a military background but becoming a Navy pilot was his lifelong dream come true. Admiral Mixson was born September 23, 1936, in Greenville, SC to Dewitt and Mary Ellen Mixson. The first in his family to go to college, he graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1958 and later earned master's degrees from both George Washington University and the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School.
Upon retirement from active duty in 1994, Admiral Mixson moved to Pt Loma CA and founded RDM and Associates, an aerospace consulting firm specialized in executive level planning, contracting, and implementation of key DOD programs. Admiral Mixson was also active in the following areas and boards.
• Active in the Department of Defense Transformation Process
• Serving as an advisory/study board member on various projects for DARPA, the Defense Science Board, the Naval Studies Board, and the Air Force Science Advisory Board.
• Key team leader in bringing the F/A-18 Super Hornet to fruition as the backbone of carrier aviation for the next twenty years
• Director on a number of North American corporate boards involved in aerospace manufacturing and advanced systems development.
• Executive Director and Vice Chairman of the Board for establishing the USS Midway Museum in San Diego.
• Board Member, San Diego Symphony
Among his many achievements, Admiral Mixson was extremely honored and proud to have been an integral part of the 12-year campaign to bring the USS Midway to San Diego from Bremerton, WA and installing it as the world's largest floating naval aviation museum. The USS Midway Museum opened in June 2004.
When summarizing other significant moments of his career, he listed "Spending Christmas Eve 1990 with my Navy son and a few of his USMC comrades on my flagship USS John F. Kennedy just prior to their departure for the front lines in Kuwait."
Admiral Mixson was predeceased by his wife of 28 years, Annette V.G. Mixson.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Mixson, son Steve Mixson of Golden, CO, daughter Betsy Kominsky of Bozeman, MT, stepson Jeffrey Van Gundy of Oceanside, CA, stepdaughter Terry Kotal Johnson of Sisters, OR, and seven grandchildren.
Services with full military honors will take place at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego. A Celebration of Life to follow, aboard the USS Midway, flight deck.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Admiral Mixson's favorite charities: Sharp HospiceCare, The USS Midway Foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the San Diego Symphony.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
larry ramsey
December 12, 2023
I flew with admiral mixing in Vietnam he was always very professional and squared away I knew he'd go far in the Navy I stayed 22 years and made Commander so I felt pretty good about my career God bless and hope you all are fine he was a good man
Frank Saragosa
September 11, 2023
I had served with the Admiral when he was Chief of Staff of ComCruDesGru 3. I was the Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer attached to the Material Office. The Captain was having some problems with his Boat's transmitter and he asked me my opinion about it. He was the type of officer that you liked to work for and I told him it would be better to have me go there and look at it. He drove me there and we got it fixed in a couple of hours and it was no problem for me. Two days later he called up to come to his office on the Tender the Group was located at Naval Station San Diego. When I got to his office, he handed me a very nice bottle of Scotch. He knew I wa stationed in Scotland and developed a taste for it. Both he and Admiral Howe both knew about my Scottish Wife, cause every time there was unit social gathering Mrs. Howe would gather up my wife and keep her. But, back to the bottle Scotch onboard the ship story. I was told by him the he did not want to hear anything from me about not wanting that bottle, to which I said Thank you much for it. Then I asked him how the blazes am I going to get it off the ship, to which he told me to tell the Officer of the Deck to call him at his number. The funny part is that when I was leaving the ship, they looked into my bag and found the bottle and I told the Deck Officer that it was a present from the Chief of Staff and if he wanted to check, please call his number if he really wanted further information. The OOD did pick up the phone but I think he had known the Captain and said "You can Leave Chief".
The next day I told the Captain about my Quarterdeck incident and he just had a chuckle and said he had a plan if he got that call. I did not ask why only thought it would have been a good one. I was not up for orders when he left to take Command of the Midway, but did tell him I would have like to go there with him... Guess he had a lot of tales of his Naval Career, I thought he was a great person to serve with and for. My condolence to you and his family.
Sincerely,
Frank K. Saragosa
Robb Lecuyer
September 3, 2023
13 years of service in the Navy, Capt. Mixson was the benchmark of CO´s! RIP Sir.
Larry ramsey
August 11, 2023
I flew with admiral Mixon off the USS Coral Sea in VA 25 during the Vietnam war always very sharp dressed immaculate in his uniform really enjoyed flying with him sorry to hear it passed away my name is Larry r Ramsey
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Frank K. Saragosa
February 3, 2023
I have fond memories of Admiral Mixon when severing with him when he was a Captian and COS for Admiral Howe, ComCruDesGru 3. My Condolences to the Family.
Thomas Dollard, ITC, USN (Ret)
November 3, 2022
I'm sorry for the loss of your, I had the honor of serving on the staff of Carrier Group TWO during Desert Storm. While making sure the mission was accomplished he always made sure that his people were taken care of as well.
Mike Boston, USN (retired)
August 24, 2022
`Hawk´ made a significant contribution to my career and life as a Naval Aviator.
Lori Young
July 14, 2022
He loved his family, the Navy, and his country.
Lori Young
July 14, 2022
He wa
He loved his family, the Navy, and his country!
DON R. CAGE
June 2, 2022
I SERVED ON THE USS MIDWAY UNDER ADMIRAL MIXSON . RIP ADMIRAL.
Robert M Dijamco
May 30, 2022
It was a pleasure serving under you on the USS Midway. Rest In Peace sir!!
.
Roger Coldiron
May 5, 2022
My most sincere sympathy to Admiral Mixson's family. It was a privilege to work for him.
otis elledge
May 3, 2022
Captain Mixson as i knew him on the Midway was a terrific man and commanding officer, i know he will ve missed by all, i know he knows we now have the watch...God Bless
Jimmy Moore
May 3, 2022
I served under him on the USS Midway. He was my first commanding officer, I never saw him then but after the Midway museum opened I talked with him several times. Farwell Admiral.
Amos Watton
May 2, 2022
It was a pleasure serving on the USS Midway with you. May God give you a heavenly seat in heaven.
Douglas Soreil
May 2, 2022
Had the pleasure of serving under Admiral Mixon on the USS Midway. Best skipper we ever had and a real class act. Fairs winds and following seas shipmate.
Paul Corter
May 2, 2022
Served on board the USS Midway from 85-89 and proud to say I served under Rear Admiral Mixson. Fair winds and following seas to a great man.
Duel Perry Damesworth
May 2, 2022
It was an honor to have you as my Captain, Leader, & Commander onboard USS Midway. Thank you for your service to us all..FWFS Sir..
Donald Bowerman, USS MIDWAY 1970-1972
May 2, 2022
Fair winds and following seas, shipmate. A grateful nation thanks you for your loyal and faithful service, and bids you farewell.
Lee Wadlington Jr
May 2, 2022
He was my first commanding officer when I was assigned to the USS Modway out of boot camp and school.
Gene Morrow
May 2, 2022
Rest In Peace Admiral. It was an honor and a privilege to have served under you.
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