August 30, 1947 to October 23, 2018
Married: Debbie Doebler, June 27, 1982
John William Mitchell was born August 30, 1947 to Jerry Edward (J.E.) Mitchell and Elizabeth Lamb Mitchell. He was proceeded in death by his son Scott and his siblings Charles E. and Kenneth G., and he is survived by his sister Margaret Mitchell Tomlinson.
Johnny was raised on a Century Farm named Clendennan’s Branch located on Center Hill Road. The home on this farm was built by Johnny’s great-great-grandfather, Archibald D. Norris. A.D. Norris was a soldier, educator, and statesman. He was County Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wilson Co., represented Wilson County in the House of Representatives in 1887. He served as a Captain in the 7th Tennessee Regiment commanded by General Robert Hatton. At the Battle of Gettysburg, he commanded Company K. The 7th Tennessee lost 3 color bearers and the flag was only saved by Capt. Norris by tearing it away from the staff and bearing it out beneath his coat.
J.E. and Elizabeth Mitchell raised their family on this farm with the primary operation being beef cattle, hay, tobacco. Johnny attended school at Taylorsville, Highland Heights, and graduated from Lebanon High School. He was a member of the FFA and 4H and enjoyed showing his cattle. Upon graduation he worked as a mechanic on foreign cars at dealerships in Nashville and farmed in the evenings and on weekends. He later became a mechanic at the Wilson Co. Road Commission until his disability/retirement. Johnny and Debbie built their home on a farm across from the Century Farm he was raised on. Debbie still resides there and continues the farming operation.
In October 1991 Johnny and 16 other men formed the Wilson Co. Antique Power Association which is still an active Club that has an annual show in Fiddlers Grove and operates the sawmill during the Fair. Johnny became a member of the International Harvester Collectors Club in 1990. This Club has approx. 7500 members from across the United States and foreign countries. Johnny served as a director/officer of this Club from the years 2002-2010. In 1994, Johnny and Debbie and several delegates from Lebanon went to Pennsylvania to make a proposal to host the 1996 Red Power Round Up and were successful. The 1996 Round Up attracted 15,000 plus spectators from 48 states and 4 foreign countries. An estimated 600 plus tractors were on display. In 2005 the Red Power Round Up was held again in Lebanon which Johnny and Debbie were chairmen also. This event attracted thousands of spectators and exhibitors also. Johnny and Debbie traveled across the United States attending IH sponsored events and assisting this National Club. Since Johnny’s passing Debbie has continued to serve on the National Board of IH and is also active in the Wilson Co. Antique Power. Although Johnny was a collector of International Harvester, he loved all brands of farming equipment.
Debbie has donated several items in Johnny’s memory to display in the Heritage Barn, one is Johnny’s 1936 Farmall F-12. This steel wheel tractor was totally restored by Johnny and is a nice addition to many collectibles on display in this building. Throughout their travels he was mostly proud of the many friendships they acquired across the United States.
