Melmouth Mitchell Gwinn Iii

On Saturday, October 30th, 2021, M. Mitchell Gwinn III, of Cordele, GA, passed away at the age of 71 after a protracted battle with Parkinson's Disease. Due to the rise in COVID-19, the memorial gathering has been postponed until a later time. Mitch was born on February 24th, 1950 in Atlanta, GA to Mitchell Gwinn Jr. and Jaquelyn (Thomas) Gwinn. He graduated from Towers High School and attended the University of Georgia before embarking on a successful career in property/casualty insurance. He rose thru the sales and management ranks, and ultimately served as president of the Southern General Insurance Company and Executive Vice President of The Insurance House, Inc. Along the way, he served in multiple industry leadership roles, including Director of the Southeastern Underwriters Association, President of the Georgia Insurance Field Association and President of the Georgia Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies. Outside of work, Mitch enjoyed collecting antiques, and over the years accumulated an impressive assortment of classic books, telephones, pens, and saxophones. Ultimately, he focused on cars, eventually amassing an impressive collection of fully restored American autos of the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Not one to simply collect, Mitch became active in the community of auto enthusiasts, and served as the President of Early Ford V-8 Clubs of America, Group #24. His love of Southern architecture led him from Atlanta to Cordele, GA where he moved into a neo-classical home built in 1910. Eventually, he settled on Lake Blackshear, allowing his final years to be spent with waterfront views and spectacular sunsets he enjoyed with his wife of 37 years, Kathy. Mitch also enjoyed "collecting" stray dogs, and at one point, he was the proud owner of 5 dogs. This led to his friends affectionately giving him the nickname Mitchie 5 Dogs. Later in life, when not tinkering on his cars with friends, Mitch could usually be found with one or more of his dogs in his lap and rooting for either his beloved Atlanta Braves or Georgia Bulldogs on TV. A voracious reader, Mitch was well versed in several subjects, notably, US Presidential and Civil War history. He also loved music, and passed the hours listening to Motown, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles on one of his prized jukeboxes. Mitch was preceded in death by his father, mother, and eldest daughter Stephanie Autrey Gwinn. He is survived by his wife Kathy (Curtis) Gwinn, sons Matt Gwinn and Michael Reagan, daughters Ansley Gwinn and Kaley Gwinn, granddaughter Mary Eloise Gwinn, brother Wesley, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at the Lake Blackshear Resort on Saturday, January 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home of Leesburg was given the honor to serve the Gwinn family. Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home Leesburg, GA 31763