Michael Wesley Mitchell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael "Mike" Wesley Mitchell, age 70, of Newnan, Georgia on June 17, 2025. Mike was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a loving grandfather. Mike and Mary, his wife of 50 years, lovingly known as the "M&M's," were blessed with three children: daughter Karen Rieneckert, son Moses Mitchell, and daughter Tina Anderson. He was known by his platoon as "Doc" during various operational deployments, where he served as their Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Corpsman and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman. He also served as a Medical Field Operating Room Technician in various duty stations in several states. During his distinguished service, Mike received the First Good Conduct Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medal. He proudly retired from the United States Navy, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service and commitment for the country he so fiercely loved. In his civilian life, Mike continued to share his passion and skill for medical care. He worked at Newnan Hospital, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and served as the Central Service Director for the Operating Room at Stephens County Hospital in Gainesville, GA. Upon retiring from the medical field, Mike became the administrator of his wife's private school, Academy of St. George in Newnan (PreK-5th grade). Later, he joined Newnan Crossing Elementary School as a PE Coach before fully retiring. Throughout his life, and especially upon retirement, Mike's family was his passion and most important commitment. He was an avid adventurer and planned many exciting family vacations that will be forever cherished. Mike was a motorcycle enthusiast and was known in the biker community as "Cougar." He loved to be on the open road, often saying, "Keep your hair in the wind and knees in the breeze." Mike was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Acey Mitchell; his mother, Ethel Marie Kingan; and his three sisters, Sandy Reed, Patricia Colegrove, and Carolyn Mitchell. He is survived by his wife, Mary Mitchell; his sisters, Diane Dishong and Pam Bice of Ohio; brother, Dennis Mitchell of Ohio; daughter, Karen (Robert) Rieneckert of Tennessee; son, Moses (Hayla) Mitchell of Bremen; daughter, Tina Anderson of Newnan; four grandchildren, Patrick (Gabriela) Anderson of LaGrange, Miranda Mitchell of Carrollton, Kaitlyn Mitchell of Whitesburg, and O'Malley Marie Anderson of Newnan; and one great grand-daughter, Isabelle Anderson of LaGrange. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 4 - 6 p.m. at McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 38 Jackson St., Newnan. A funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. with Father Stephen Lyness officiating. On Friday, June 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Mike will depart McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory with a motorcade and honor guard procession to his final resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 656 Roscoe Rd., Newnan for a graveside service with Navy funeral honors. The family would be honored and encourage all friends, family, motorcycle enthusiasts, motorcycle groups or chapters, and riders to join Mike on his final ride. One of Mike's final words and wishes was "I'm out of time at the end of the line, so keep the sun on your back and the wind on your knees. So, man on pale horse, it's time to ride! Let's Ride!" McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580

Michael Wesley Mitchell

May 7, 1955 - June 17, 2025