Mitchell Borden Jr.

Mitchell P. Borden, Jr. (MSgt., USAF, Ret) 89, passed away at his home in Knoxville, TN, on September 18, 2025.

Mitchell, son of Mitchell P Borden, Sr. and Edith Holt Borden, was born July 8,1936 in Charlotte, NC. Because of WWII, his family moved around a lot during that time. He became a member of the vast host of military families who were constantly on the move, so he attended many schools over the period until his final four years of high school, which were spent at Christ School in Arden, NC. Upon graduation from Christ School in 1954, he attended the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill for two years before enlisting in the US Air Force in 1957.

While going through basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, he met his wife-to-be, Freda Eileen Smith. They were married in February of 1958 in Muncie, Indiana, her hometown. After 8-1/2 years of active duty with the Air Force, which included tours of duty in Japan, Washington state, and Georgia, he left the Air Force and returned to his native Charlotte, NC, where he attended and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 1967 with a degree in Business Administration. In 1968, he was hired as Assistant Director of the University of Tennessee Book & Supply store, responsible for the bookstore. He retired from that job in 1999. Along the way, he re-enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard where he continued to serve for another 18 years, retiring from the Air Force in July of 1997 with a total of 26-1/2 years of military service.

He has been a long-standing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having joined, along with Freda, in 1963. Mitch has served in many callings in the Church, but primarily as a Branch, Ward, Physical Facilities, or Stake Clerk for over 45 years.

In his younger years, he enjoyed playing tennis, soccer, softball, and bowling. He was on the tennis team at UNC-Charlotte his senior year, and on soccer teams at Christ School, UNC-Charlotte, and with the Air Force team at Andrews AFB.

He was the king of "dad jokes" and terrible puns. We would often groan at his jokes, but we loved it. He enjoyed going out and playing with his children. Soccer was common, as was softball. He cut a ballfield into the field across the road from the house, where he, his children, and a lot of neighborhood children would play, a lot. We had many hours of playing Ping Pong. And we loved the holidays at our house because we knew it was "game time." We learned and played so many games. It was the highlight of any holiday.

He had a rough childhood. Those who should have loved him, didn't, and those who did, weren't allowed to be in his life. It took finding Mom and the gospel to change him into the man you have all known, sweet, gentle, kind, always wearing a smile. His hallmark trait is "service," quietly and consistently given over many years. He could often be found on Saturday mornings picking up trash and sticks around the church building. He took the newspaper and mail to his elderly neighbors, and took out their trashcans, which he did up until the day he died. He ministered to families in the church, to friends, and to strangers, freely giving of his time and resources. He is a wonderful example of what it means to "love thy neighbor," and everyone was his neighbor. He leaves a legacy that we are all trying to honor and follow.

He is preceded in death by grandsons Samuel E Borden and Robert M Borden, and by his dear wife, Freda Smith Borden.

He is survived by his sister Cynthia Lindstedt (John); sons Eugene Borden (Angelina) and children Christopher (Sara), Hannah, Tara, Emily, and Jacob; David Borden (Tina) and children Kristin Houghton (Tim), Bryan, Connor, and Brooke Stewart (Gavin); Darryl Borden (Cherie) and children Ashley, Brad (Sara), Chase (Rachael), Brett (Devan), Grant, and Madison Stoepler (Bryce); Richard Borden (Leigh Ann) and children Tina and Traci; Robert Borden (Cheryl) and children Justin, Carey Rucker, and Adam; Bennett Borden (Becky) and daughter Kathleen Lauck (Eric). Mitch and Freda have 14 great grandchildren: Beau, Blake, Caroline, Emily, Emma, George, Greyson, Jaxson, John, Lionel, Oliver, twins Ruby and Ryder, and Victoria; and cousins Pat Gubbins (Doug) and Ann Mozingo (Reuben).

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11837 Grigsby Chapel Road in Farragut, TN, at 7:00 PM, on September 27, with Adam Bover presiding. Receiving of family and friends will be from 6:00 – 7:00 PM with the funeral service following. If you are unable to attend the funeral, below you may watch the funeral service remotely on Zoom: Zoom Livestream Link

Flowers can be sent to:

Click Funeral Home

9020 Middlebrook Pike

Knoxville, TN 37923

For those of you who would like to honor Dad in lieu of flowers, he has some suggestions:

Mobile Meals, CAC Office on Aging

2247 Western Ave. Knoxville, TN 37920

865-524-2786

Second Harvest Food Bank

136 Harvest Ln, Maryville, TN 27801

865-521-2000

Knox Area Rescue Ministries

418 N. Broadway St., Knoxville, TN 37917

865-673-6540

For those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please consider making donation to the Missionary Program or to Humanitarian Aid.