Gamecocks Mourn Passing of Jimmy Mitchell

Jimmy Mitchell, a member of the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame and a first team All-ACC and honorable mention All-America football player at for the Gamecocks, passed away on March 19, 2025, at the age of 75.

A native of Spartanburg, Mitchell lived in Atlanta, Ga., and Greensboro, N.C., where he attended high school. He came to Carolina in 1968 and was a three-year letterwinner from 1969-71. At the time of his arrival in Columbia, freshmen were not allowed to play under NCAA rules.

During his sophomore season, Mitchell helped lead the Gamecocks to the ACC Championship, going 6-0 on the season in the league. Against North Carolina State, Mitchell returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Gamecocks the go-ahead score to beat the Wolfpack, 21-16, and keep Carolina undefeated in the ACC.

Mitchell was an All-ACC Flanker and honorable mention All-America in 1970, leading the Gamecocks in receptions with 41 for 842 yards and seven touchdowns. His receiving yards per receptions (20.5) and receiving touchdowns led the ACC.

Mitchell led the Gamecocks in receiving again, as a senior in 1971, with 47 catches for 618 yards and two touchdowns.

At the end of his playing career, he was second in the Gamecock football history books in catches (90), receiving yards (1,474) and touchdowns (9).

Mitchell was inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. At the time of his induction, he told Gamecocks Online, “I’m just so proud. It is so good to get in with so many of my teammates and friends such as Jeff Grantz, Tommy Suggs, Fred Zeigler, Dave DeCamilla, and my roommate Dickie Harris. Being in their ‘club’ is a thrill for me and my family.”

Mitchell owned a construction company in Columbia, Mitchell Builders, Inc.

He is survived by Kathleen “Kathi” Danielson Mitchell, his loving wife of 38 years; his children, James Clayton Mitchell III (Maggie), Amanda Mitchell Ely (Penn), Alexander Morris Mitchell (December), and Travis Cruise Mitchell; his grandchildren Emery, Frances, and James Mitchell, IV; Owen, Samuel, Adam, and William Ely; Tatianna Wright and Ewa Mitchell; his brother William Morris Mitchell, Jr. (Kristen), many nieces and nephews, as well as lifelong friends who he considered family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Nell and William M. Mitchell, sister, Jeanie M. Coleman, and brother-in-law James R. Coleman.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine) at 2:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the service.