Born October 28, 1948 on a small farm in Statesboro, Georgia, to Horace and Ethel Mitchell, Ronald Phillip "Phil" Mitchell was the youngest of four siblings. He came into this world with the intent to have a lasting impact on anyone and everyone who knew him. While never forgetting his roots, Phil wanted to join a cause bigger than himself. Upon graduating college, Phil entered into the United States Air Force and spent over two decades advancing the cause of the US military, first as a KC-135 pilot, and second in space command and control. Upon retiring from the USAF, Phil continued to support the US military as an analyst. Throughout his career, Phil brought exceptional leadership, a keen analytical mind, and highly refined problem solving skills to bear on some of our nation's most sensitive national security programs. Phil was highly respected for the significant contributions he made over the many years.

In the midst of flying planes, commanding satellites, and analyzing national security programs, Phil had an even greater impact on the home front. Born to Phil and his previous wife Sara, were two daughters, Amanda and Gwen. Phil took the time to build swing-sets; take family hiking trips throughout the Colorado Rockies and biking excursions in the English countryside; have static-electricity tag matches until the wee hours of the morning; help with chemistry, and physics homework; and encourage his daughters to follow their dreams.

Outside the home, Phil was passionate about his faith. Wherever he was stationed, he and his family joined a church and got involved. From Sunday school teachings, to Wednesday night dinners, deacon boards, building sets and stages for church musicals and plays, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, serving sandwiches and offering coats & gloves to the needy- Phil was determined to live out his belief in Jesus.

The last few months of his life was full of love, as Phil had just met his wife, Mariela, at the synagogue they both attended. Worshipping God side by side, a friendship was created and a year and a half later they decided to worship God as one and join in marriage. Although it may have seemed like a daring romance- announcing their engagement on June 1, 2019, and getting married on June 17, 2019, they loved each other passionately, and demonstrated their love, loyalty, and unity through the last moments of his life in commitment to God.  They also loved and supported their blended family of two sons and three daughters, and loved Jesus even more so by actively participating in their church, Kehilat Sar Shalom, a Messianic Jewish Synagogue in Leesburg, VA.

Phil leaves behind his wife Mariela, two daughters by his previous marriage, Amanda and Gwen, their husbands, Victor and Dennis, and two grandchildren, Marisa and Alex. He also leaves behind his oldest sister, Lucy and her husband Gary, and loving nieces and nephews. To celebrate his life, you are invited to Kehilat Sar Shalom on October 24, 2019 at 11 o'clock AM, located at 908 Trailview Boulevard SE, Leesburg, VA, 20175. Internment services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Phil asked that people consider donating to Kehilat Sar Shalom instead. You can donate by clicking on the "donate" button on their website, KehilatSarShalom.org, or by mailing it directly.