Obituary: Donald “Don” Myron Mendel, 83
Donald “Don” Myron Mendel, 83, native of Atlanta, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 10, 2015. He was born to Dorothy and Simon Mendel, both of blessed memory, on December 29, 1931 and attended Druid Hills Elementary School. The 1947-1948 Student Body President, he graduated Valedictorian from Druid Hills High School in 1948, and was also a member of Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Scholastic Society and the National Honor Society. Don graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1952, where he was a member of ZBT Fraternity (President 1951) and Phi Beta Kappa. An avid UNC basketball fan, he served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1953, commissioned 2nd Lt., and served as Adjutant at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, TX. Don married the love of his life, Patricia Stewart from Birmingham, AL in 1953. He enjoyed a successful 20 years with H. Mendel & Company, Inc, Atlanta, where he was serving as Vice President at the time of their liquidation in 1973. Don then founded Mendel Distributing Co. with his brother, Jerome, in 1973, and served as the first Vice President. He was a longtime member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue and will be remembered for his love of family. Don is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Cathy Shavin; sons, Paul Mendel (Leslie), and Hal Mendel (Marcy); grandchildren: Kate Wentz (Adam), Ellie Carruth (Deal), and Daniel, Andrew, Kevin, and Alex Mendel; brothers, Jerry Mendel (JoAnne), and Herb Mendel (Marsha); mother-in-law, Ruth Rosenblum; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at the William Breman Jewish Home, 3150 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.wbjh.org. Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM TODAY, Friday, September 11, 2015 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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