James Roscoe Mitchell

James Roscoe Mitchell, 84, of Lafayette, Indiana, passed away at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at The Legacy at Creasy Springs Health Campus. He had been ill since July following a fall that ultimately contributed to his death.
Jim was born January 10, 1942, in Lexington, Kentucky, the only child of Henry Owen and Geraldine Russell Mitchell. During his preschool years, he lived in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on his maternal grandparents’ farm. He completed all of his schooling in Lexington and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1966 with degrees in Engineering and an MBA.
Jim began his professional career with Alcoa in Alcoa, Tennessee, and faithfully served the company for more than 30 years. His career took him and his family to five states, including Chillicothe, Ohio; Davenport (Bettendorf), Iowa; Pittsburgh (Bethel Park), Pennsylvania; and, ultimately, Lafayette, Indiana.
On February 3, 1968, Jim married Anne Everett Drinnen in Maryville, Tennessee. Together they had three children: Charles Gregory Drinnen, Michael Everett Mitchell, and Laura Diane Mitchell Benedict. Anne preceded him in death on November 22, 1993.
Jim is survived by his children: Greg, and his daughters Jessica Meeks Clark and Kelli Anne Drinnen White; “Mick” (Susan), and their sons Everett and Daniel Mitchell; and Diane (Brian), and their daughters Isabella Anne and Meredith Kate Benedict. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Trinity Rae Clark and Louis, Olivia and Helen White, whom he loved tremendously.
On April 20, 1996, Jim married Joy Kratz Meade. They lived together in West Lafayette, Indiana, before retiring to Cookeville, Tennessee, where they made their home for 23 years. They returned to Lafayette in August 2022. Joy survives him, along with her children, Jill (Doug) and their daughters Melanie and Abigail Barnett, and Stuart (Julia) and their daughter Maya Meade (Kevin Hinkle) and their children Elliot and Vivien.
Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior while in junior high school. His faith remained a central part of his life. He faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher for many years in several churches. Jim had a true servant’s heart and never met a stranger. He loved people, loved his family deeply, and was excited about his next Eternal Home in Heaven.
A memorial service will be held at Faith East Church on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Corbit White, Jim’s grandson-in-law, will officiate.
Those wishing to honor Jim’s memory may make contributions to some of his favorite charities, including Riley Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lafayette Urban Ministries, Faith Church Ministries, or Cookeville Regional Cancer Center in Cookeville, Tennessee