NAFA Mourns the Passing of Windell Mitchell, NAFA Leader, Volunteer, Humanitarian, Friend

It was with great sadness that the NAFA family received word of the passing of Windell Mitchell in Bellevue, WA. He was one of the Association's most-esteemed Members and received the Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award in both 1993 and 2001. He served on the National Program Committee 1992/1995; as an Officer/Trustee 1992/1999; on the National Membership Committee 1990/1992 and 1996/1997; 1995/1996 and 1998/1999 on the National Public Service Fleet Committee; and during 1988/1990 was a Chapter Leader for the Puget Sound Chapter.

Windell had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," a progressive neurodegenerative disease, in 2010 yet continued on with the grace, strength, and faith he trusted upon his whole life long.

Windell Theophillus Mitchell was born February 28, 1941 in Race Course, Manchester Parish, Jamaica, West Indies, to Thomas T. Mitchell and Eveline Victoria (Clarke) Mitchell. He is the seventh of eight children of Thomas and Eveline Mitchell. He grew up in this small rural village in Central Jamaica where he enjoyed a challenging yet fun-filled childhood. Life in his home and his small, close-knit community was idyllic. As a lanky, energetic youth he was profoundly influenced by his parents and relatives, teachers and his community. All equipped him with a strong value system, a deep spirituality, a compassion for those in need, and a high appreciation for education and the pursuit of excellence.

Shortly after completing high school at West Indies College, near his hometown, he sought an opportunity to further his education. With the help of an anonymous benefactor, he was accepted at the Manhattan Technical Institute in New York City. In March 1963, with the prayers and blessings of his family, church family, and the Race Course community, he journeyed to the United States to start a new life. He recalls that the hymn they sang as he boarded the plane was "Under His Wings." It was one of his favorite hymns. In the bustling metropolis of New York City, he struggled to pay tuition and rent, attend school full-time and work full-time at a minimum wage of $1.30 per hour. After a year, his brother, P.E. Mitchell invited him to move to Seattle, WA where he resided. Windell said that that offer literally saved his life. On April 23, 1964, he boarded a Greyhound bus with a small suitcase, $4.00 and 3 oranges, and left for Seattle.

A day after arriving in Seattle, he attended the Spruce Street Seventh-Day Adventist church, where he met Myrtle Wood. After a whirlwind courtship they were married on November 22, 1964. Together, they raised two children: Dr. Jonathan Mitchell and Audrey Mitchell. Windell overcame many obstacles in his pursuit of his dream to obtain a college education. He worked for a few years as an architectural draftsman while attending the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning in 1971 and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1973.

He started his career in public service at King County, Seattle, WA, as a Budget Analyst with King County, but quickly rose up through the ranks to become Director of the King County Fleet Administration Division, a position he held for over 31 years. His accomplishments as the Division Director are legendary. He was a national leader, a pace-setter, and a visionary. While the citations he received and the awards he earned are numerous, he was most proud of the Quality Fleet Management Ideas Award from Business Week Magazine and NAFA received in 1993, and the Government Fleet Magazine Manager of the Year Award received in 2008.

In 2012 at the height of his illness, the 100 Best Fleets Program established an award in his name, The Windell Mitchell Award for Innovation and Creativity. The award will be given annually to a deserving government fleet administrator who best exemplifies the standard of excellence that Windell was credited for establishing for the fleet industry.

Windell, affectionately known as "Win" or "Mas Windell," is most remembered, however, for the transformational impact he has had on the lives of others. He was generous, hospitable, exuberant, and outgoing. He was an avid gardener and outstanding gourmet chef. He loved to entertain and prepare lavish seven-course meals for his friends and family. He was known and loved for his bright smile, gregarious personality, and hearty laugh. Windell Mitchell was a vibrant, larger-than-life individual who exuded the same zeal, regard for inclusiveness, commitment to quality, and passion for excellence in his community service activities and in his relationships with others as he did in his professional life. He changed lives, enhancing and improving the welfare of young and old. Windell was driven by a genuine compassion for less fortunate individuals and constantly seized upon opportunities to help those in need. Working with the International District Rotary Club of which he was a member, he established a health care clinic for the Harry Watch District in his beloved Jamaica that serves over 5,000 poor families in this rural region by providing accessible primary health care.

After being diagnosed with ALS in 2010, he faced his illness with courage, grace, and a deep abiding faith in the resurrection of those who die in Christ. He was positive and continued to promote the welfare of others. Through most of the two years of his illness, he remained actively engaged in guiding the choices of struggling, aspiring young adults and in opening up opportunities for those who sought access to a better life. He was a faithful member of the Green Lake Church of Seventh-Day Adventists until his death, and his life was a dynamic reflection of the life and ministry of Christ. Throughout his life, in his personal, day-to-day relationships and interactions with others, Windell retained and exemplified those core values of honesty, diligence, responsibility, faith, and sensitivity to the needs of others. He published his first book, Taking the Right Way, the Pathway to Excellence, in 2011. His book is a true and compelling testimony to a life well-lived and a life dedicated to the service to others.

Windell was a loving husband and soul mate and father, a caring brother cousin and uncle. He never forgot a birthday, and reached out always to connect with his cousins and relatives all over the world; he was a faithful friend and a beloved brother in Christ. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Myrtle Mitchell, son, Dr. Jonathan Mitchell (Lisa), daughter Audrey Mitchell, three grandchildren, Savannah, Ava and McKenna Mitchell; a brother Earl Mitchell (Elaine), three sisters: Enid Dwyer, Merle Grey (Leroy), and Theda Mitchell, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Windell, in God’s Hands you rest. You will forever remain in our hearts and in our memories.

The funeral for Windell took place on November 9. Remembrances may continue to be sent to the ALS Association, Evergreen Chapter, or to the Green Lake Church/the Hands Across the Water Project.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
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Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004