Dr. John Robert Mitchem

Dr. John Robert Mitchem passed away peacefully at his home in Palatka on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 92 with family and caregivers by his side.

Robert was born on September 15, 1930, in Bessemer City, North Carolina, to Calvin Clinton and Mary Elizabeth Mitchem at home. He was the fourth of eight children. His father was a sharecropper and was very proud when he was able to buy his own farm and home in Bessemer City.

Robert vividly remembered when he accepted Christ as his Savior. He was 15 years old and washing the family’s laundry in a big black pot over a fire and then wringing the clothes out to hang on the laundry line. The Baptist minister who was holding a tent revival gave him the plan of salvation and Robert accepted Christ as his Savior.

He was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Bessemer City, NC.

Robert graduated from Bessemer City High School in 1949 and while in school he worked in the textile plant where his parents worked. He tried to join the army before graduating, but his mother refused to sign the papers to permit him to. He joined the U.S. Army on February 4, 1950, and shipped out to the Korean War on July 18, 1950. His company was the second to land in South Korea, where he earned the rank of corporal and was awarded five battle stars for his service. There were 175 men in the 82nd AAA Anti-Aircraft Division; he was one of only 29 men to survive when his division was overrun by the North Koreans and Chinese.

Robert returned to the states and finished his tour of duty with the Army. He decided to make use of the GI bill and go to college. He chose Spartanburg Methodist Junior College in Spartanburg, S.C. and graduated in 1955 with his AA Degree. At college he met the lovely Beverly Ann West. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Wofford College in 1956. Once he graduated, he married the love of his life, Beverly West, on June 29, 1956. They moved to Memphis, Tenn., so Robert could attend school at the Southern College of Optometry, during which time Beverly gave birth to their son, John Robert “Bobby” Jr. Robert graduated from Southern C.O. in 1960.

During his military service, Robert had visited St Augustine, FL on R&R and had fallen in love with Florida. He decided to move his family consisting of his pregnant wife, Beverly, his son Bobby to Orlando, FL to start his Optometric practice. He lived and successfully worked in Orlando from 1960-1970. He and his family were active in North Park Baptist Church. There he served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher. Many lifelong friendships were made through this church.

The death of Robert and Beverly’s son Bobby in May of 1968, sent Robert looking for another city to move his family to where he could continue to practice his life’s work of Optometry. He found an Optometric practice for sale in Palatka, FL and moved his family to East Palatka in 1970. He purchased his new Optometric practice from Mrs. Sue Keene, the widow of Dr Horace Keene. He served his new community (Putnam County) for 35 years in his Optometric practice. His office was first located on St Johns Avenue downtown, but he later moved his practice in 1976 to 2504 Crill Avenue. This location is still providing the community with eyecare by Dr John Lennon and Dr Gerald Deputy, who purchased Dr. Mitchem’s practice in 1994. Robert continued to work part time in the Optometric practice under the new name “St Johns Eyecare” until 2005 when he finally retired.

Robert and his family joined First Baptist Church of Palatka in 1971, where Robert and Beverly became active members. He served as a deacon and was recently named as a deacon emeritus by Pastor Ron Smith. He served on numerous committees and served as chairman of the finance and stewardship committees, and he was director of the Young Married Sunday School Class for a number of years and loved working in the nursery with children.

Robert believed in serving his community by volunteering his time. When he retired, he offered to help widows of his church with home projects such as painting or maintaining their yard. He went to Haiti and Surinam on mission trips where he gave free eyecare. He and Beverly joined other church members on mission trips to help others in building projects, digging wells to provide clean water in communities far from civilization.

Robert was a member of the Palatka Rotary Club and in 2000 he was awarded “Service Above Self Award.” He was also awarded the Paul Harris Award given by Rotary International. Rotary International Clubs believe in serving their communities, as well as raising money to stamp out Polio worldwide. Robert has also volunteered his time and money to the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch. He has served on their board of directors for 22 years. His neighbor and friend Bill Huntley introduced him to the importance Rodeheaver Boys Ranch had in meeting needs of young boys and repairing their lives. He was presented the Wagon Master award in 2008 by Ken Johnson, who headed Rodeheaver Boys Ranch at that time. This award highlights how one person can make a difference in a young man’s life.

Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling with his wife and friends. Every year he and his friends traveled to Craig, Colorado to hunt mule deer and elk, while staying in a one room cabin. This cabin was built by Robert and his friend Billy Turner.

Robert and Beverly have been fortunate to have good health and enjoyed traveling worldwide as well as camping across the United States and Canada. They had probably traveled to all 50 states in their high low Trailmanor with friends. They also enjoyed staying in their mountain cabin in Tryon, N.C., during the summer. Robert and Beverly were avid Gator fans.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin Clinton and Mary Elizabeth Mitchem; his beloved grandmother, Mary Mollie Lanier; and his beloved aunt, Margaret E. Lanier; his siblings, Ruth Neal (Lefty), Mae Mintz (Joe), Jim Mitchem (Mary), Bill Mitchem and his son, John Robert Jr. “Bobby” Mitchem.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Beverly; two daughters; Debbie Bacon (Greg) of Palatka, and Sherri Craig Evans (Chad) of Orlando; a son, Jerry Mitchem; a sister; Mary Crisp of Gastonia, N.C.; two brothers; Leroy Mitchem (Doris) of Clover, S.C., Jerry Mitchem (Uris) of Bedford, VA.; and a sister in law, Barbara Mitchem in Knightdale, NC. Survivors also include his grandchildren, Lauren Bacon, Scott Bacon, Cooper Craig, Hunter Evans, Ethan Evans, Sadie Evans and great-granddaughter, Charlotte Craig, and soon to be great-grandson, Franklin O. Scott Bacon.

Funeral services with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Palatka with Pastor Ron Smith, Dr Robert Mills, the Rev. Ken Johnson, and the Rev. Brad Hall officiating. A visitation beginning at 2 p.m. will precede the service.

Following the service, there will be a reception for family and friends in the lower auditorium provided by the First Baptist Church family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Mitchem’s memory may be made to: Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or First Baptist Church of Palatka, 501 Oak St., Palatka, FL 32177. Memories and condolences may be expressed in Tributes at www.stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com.

St Johns Family Funeral Home & Crematory of St. Augustine, FL is in charge of arrangements.