John A. Mitas

John A. Mitas, 87, of Douglasville, Georgia, departed this life and claimed his place in the presence of our living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 3, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Husar Mitas, sister, Hilda Mitas, brother, Andrew Edward Mitas, nephew, David John Mitas, brother-in-law, Edward L. Grottenthaler, and loving companion, Janie Paxton Barefoot. He is survived by three children, Dr. John A. Mitas, II Rosalind of West Chester, Pennsylvania, James D. Mitas Cheryl of St. Louis, Missouri, and Carole Anne Mitas of Richmond, Virginia; six grandchildren, Laura T. Mitas Julian Cardoos, Kristin M. Mitas, PFC John A. Mitas, III, USMC, Christina D. Mitas, Adrienne M. Mitas, and G. Michael Jenkins, Jr. Erin; two great-grandchildren, Mayson Taylor Jenkins and Mylah Adrianna Mitas; sister, Martha M. Grottenthaler; niece, Marsha M. Dood; nephews, Thomas Mitas and Andrew Mitas; numerous cousins and second cousins; and special extended family, Shirley West, Lula Williams, Gabriel West, Kim West, Hattie Burton and Larry Burton. He was a member of St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Forest Park, Georgia, from 1957 until its close in 2010. After graduating from Springdale High School, Springdale, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1941 and served in the Pacific Theatre through World War II. After the war he was employed by Delta Airlines, first as a radio mechanic, and later as a technical publications analyst. He retired after 41 plus years of service. After retiring, he became a member of the Delta Pioneers, Woolman Chapter and West Coast Chapter, and with great joy and pride, volunteered on the DC-3 Ship 41 renovation project to its completion. Additionally, he was a member of the Woody Fife and Hunter Park Senior Recreation Associations. A memorial service of thanksgiving and praise will be held Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the New Mountain Top Baptist Church, 7822 Conners Road, Winston, Georgia 30187. Presiding ministers will be Dr. A. Reginald Litman of New Mountain Top Baptist Church, and the Reverend Michael W. Bovingdon of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Internment will take place at Deer Creek Cemetery, Cheswick, Pennsylvania, at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations annotated “John Mitas Memorial” may be made to: Seminarian Scholarships or to Mission Development Fund, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America – Southeastern Synod, 100 Edgewood Ave, NE, Suite 1600, Atlanta, GA 30303-3066; or to Delta Airlines Heritage Museum, PO Box 20585, Atlanta, GA 30320-2585.