John Randolph Mitchell II from Upper Marlboro, MD., succumbed to his battle with Parkinson’s Disease on July 14, 2018.

Born to his beloved parents, Randolph Sr. and Catherine Mitchell on August 9, 1937, Randy spent the better part of his childhood on Ritchie Road in Forestville, MD., when he eventually joined the family business working at Mitchell’s Hardware Store, owned and operated by his father. He proudly served his country for two years in the U.S. Army in the late 1950’s, and later went on to work alongside his brother, ‘Duke’, in owning and operating Mitchell’s Exxon service station. From there, he branched out and owned and operated his own service station in District Heights., MD. He moved on from the family businesses to join the United States Capitol Police, where as a plainclothesman, he guarded the Senate at the U.S. Capitol Building.

In the mid 1960’s, Randy settled his family at what became known as simply, ’The Farm’, in Upper Marlboro, MD., and when he wasn’t working, you could find him outdoors hunting deer, birds, or whatever happened to be in season. His favorite place was Moosehead Lake in Maine near where he and his cherished hunting buddies affectionately named their getaway, ‘Camp Cuz We Like It’. His love for hunting and the outdoors was passionately passed on to his children and grandchildren through his teaching, experience, and stories, along with numerous hunting trips. He was also as comfortable on the water as he was on land and was no stranger to boating and crabbing. Everyone he taught, quickly learned that stringing chicken necks was all you needed to fill the bushel. Randy was well versed on our nation’s history in general, and because of such a special interest in war planes, the last family boat was aptly named the ‘Mitchell Bomber’, referring to the B-25 twin engine bomber plane used in Doolittle’s Raid in WWII.

Over the years, ‘The Farm’ became the location and foundation of cherished family gatherings; horseback riding, bonfires, sledding. churning homemade ice-cream, berry picking, four-wheeling, soccer and football games, holiday celebrating, horseshoes, and his favorite, eating crabs under the oak tree. Randy was born with the special gift of making everyone laugh, and with his sharp wit and one liners, he always had an audience. His smile and humor will be sorely missed.

Left behind to mourn his loss are Jeanne, his loving wife of forty years, his children, Angela Bell, Johnny Mitchell, and Eric Mitchell. Also left are Linda Rinaldi, Kimberley Langlais, James Banning, Dawnn Johnson as well as one brother Danny Mitchell of Darby, Montana, and one sister, Lillian Riley of Prince Frederick, MD. He lovingly enjoyed his role as grandfather to thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, Virginia on Saturday, July 28th at 2:00 p.m. conducted by The Rev Michael S. Williams.