Vanguard

Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News

More than 1,400 people paid their respects to the Mitchell family at a memorial service held on Sept.28 for Mayer Mitchell who died Sept. 26 in his home. The service was held in the University of South Alabama's Mitchell Center arena that bears his family's name.
Many that spoke at his memorial service spoke of his generosity. Mitchell was dedicated to USA and supported all the organizations he contributed to. Mitchell and his family have donated more than $36 million to USA. USA President Gordon Moulton recalled that he would return every phone call and that always "He did his best." "He inspired all of us to raise the bar," Moulton said. He recalled Mitchell saying, "Don't settle for mediocre work."
Mitchell's wife Arlene, their children, grandchildren, his brother Abe and other family members were joined with speakers to describe their life with Mitchell including USA President Gordon Moulton, Howard Kohr, executive director of The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Rabbi Steven Silberman of the Congregation Ahavas Chesed, Mobile's Conservative synagogue, and Reverend Jeff Spiller of Christ United Methodist Church.
"Mayer means 'bringer of light,'" said Rabbi Steven Silberman during the service. "Mayer, bringer of light, truly brought light into this world."
Mitchell belonged to the Jewish faith and was an avid supporter of the protection of Israel. He was president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as well as served on the Board of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He developed personal relationships with U.S. presidents and prime ministers of Israel for the past 25 years. He had received calls from President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert days prior to his passing. Howard Kohr, executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, remembers Mitchell's tenacity and drive for benefiting Israel.
Despite his dedication to Judaism, Rev. Jeff Spiller spoke of Mitchell's acceptance and help. "Even though his loyalty belonged to the Jewish faith, he was willing to lend himself, his time and his wisdom to a young pastor and a Methodist congregation," Spiller said. "He was far more interested in being good than being recognized for doing it."
Family and friends knew Mitchell as "Bubba." He had fought cancer since 1969, when he was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. "He said he wasn't afraid of death because he had faced it down so many times," said Jimmy Grodnick, Mitchell's son-in-law. "Bubba was larger than life."

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