James B. Mitchell ’60

Jim grew up in Richmond, Va., and attended St. Christopher’s School, where he captained the tennis team and was class valedictorian. Bringing his racquet skills to Princeton, he played freshman tennis, then moved on to JV squash. At Campus Club, Jim diversified into IAA sports. He was active in Whig-Clio and the Campus Fund Drive, but is especially remembered as director of the Student Birthday Cake Agency.

Earning a law degree at Yale in 1963, Jim then spent a year in business school deciding it didn’t suit him. After an internship with the Federal Housing Administration (part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development), he began his long career there. He rose to become director of the Financial Management and Policy Division, retiring in 2014 after 49 years of service.

Jim and his wife, Nancy, enjoyed travel, art, music, and theater together. He was a lifelong tennis player, a voracious reader, an animal-rights activist, and a Formula One racing enthusiast. He died April 14, 2023. His son, John, predeceased him. Jim is survived by Nancy, daughter Sallie, and two granddaughters.