DOVER - J. Fred Mitchell of Dover, died peacefully Thursday January 5, 2012 at home. He was 93. Mr. Mitchell was born April 29, 1918 in Appomattox, Virginia to the late Bernard Julian Mitchell and Meta Lee Coleman Mitchell. He had lived in Lynchburg, Va. until 1935 when he and his family moved to Wilmington. Mr. Mitchell attended Wilmington High School for the last part of his senior year, graduating in 1936. He was starting halfback on the football team. Mr. Mitchell attended Beacom College, taking a pre-college course. He attended the University of Delaware in 1937. Mr. Mitchell was an outstanding athlete earning eight Varsity Letters; four in baseball and four in basketball. He captained the Hens 1941-42 basketball team. At age 90, he was honored at a U of D home basketball game, as the oldest living former basketball captain. At the U of D he participated in the ROTC program and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He entered the United States Army in 1942 and was stationed at Camp Davis, N.C. Mr. Mitchell saw duty in North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, France and Germany and finished his three year service with the rank of Captain. Following his Army career, he began his business career as assistant to the business manager at the University of Delaware, later he edited the local Newark newspaper. In 1957, he joined Jack McDowell to form McDowell-Mitchell Associates as Executive Vice President. Clients included Chrysler Corporation which operated an army tank plant in Newark and later changed the plant to automobiles. He was active in the Newark community serving as president of the Newark Chamber of Commerce and the Newark Lions Club. An avid golfer, he played most of his life and played in Palm Springs, Calif., Ireland, and Scotland. For many years he was a member of the Newark Country Club where he twice won the Senior Championship title. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Frances McBride. He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver of 32 years, Doris Clark Mitchell of Dover; sons, Steven Mitchell of Phoenix, Ariz., Ronald Mitchell of Naples, Fla.; sister, Thelma Walraven of Midlothian, Va. Additionally, he is survived by step-son Michael Keith and wife Phyllis, and step-daughter Yvonne E. Keith. He will be fondly remembered by granddaughters Sara Lafferty McFarland, Amanda Keith Galloway, and Colleen R. Lafferty, and two great-grandchildren Liam Snyder and Henry Galloway. Memorial services will be 12 Noon, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Friends may call one hour prior. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 11 Independence Way, Newark, Delaware 19713. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com.