Longtime educator in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights was also an accomplished artist
March 7, 1934 — November 26, 2021
OBITUARY
Education and art were the principal themes of Clarence Washington Mixon’s professional life.
Clarence’s professional education started early. Born in Cleveland on March 7, 1934, to George and Geneva Mixon, he had learned to cut hair by the time he was twelve years old. That was perhaps not a big surprise given that his father operated Mixon’s Barber Shop on East 105 Street near Kempton Ave.
Clarence was a gifted art student. Had he been born a couple of generations later, he might have become a barber to the stars, crafting all manner of patterns into the heads of professional athletes and entertainers. But growing up in the late ‘30s and ’40s he instead painted murals at the schools he attended: Dyke Elementary, Kennard Jr. High, and John Hay HS. His artistic talent won him a scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art.
But after serving two years with the United States Army, Clarence mustered out in 1956 and attended Kent State University, graduating in 1961 with a fine arts degree. He went on to obtain a master’s in counseling and secondary school administration from Case Western Reserve University in 1968 and, eventually, a doctorate in higher education from Michigan State University in 1974.
Clarence’s teaching career began in Cleveland’s public schools. He served as an art teacher, guidance counselor and assistant principal. Subsequently he became a director of new careers at Cuyahoga Community College.
His longest tenure was as executive director of Cleveland Scholarship Programs, Inc., which he led for twenty-three years. His outstanding work with CSP led to its recognition as “Educational Program of the Year” by the US Department of Education at a White House Rose Garden reception in 1988, and he was instrumental in the replication of the CSP model in a dozen cities across the country.
After he left CSP, Mixon spent 11 years at Cleveland Heights HS, retiring as principal. While there he developed Black History Month programs for the district. He also designed a DVD called KISS [“Keeping It Simple for Students”], a road map to help students navigate and apply for scholarships and financial aid needed to continue their post-secondary school education.
Dr. Mixon continued to work part time after retiring from the Cleveland Heights district. He taught “diversity in educational setting” classes at Cleveland State University. He also supervised student teachers in Greater Cleveland who were enrolled at the University of Akron.
Clarence was a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of Delta Alpha Lambda Graduate Chapter. He was the president and founding member of the Alphas’ Epsilon Delta Chapter, established at Kent State University in 1957.
Mixon died on November 26, 2021. His first wife, Georgia Mixon, preceded him in death, leaving behind a daughter, Rhonda Hugabook and a son, Clarence D. Mixon. Survivors include his second wife, Gayle Bohanon Mixon; three daughters, Alison Mixon [Daniel] Genalo, Lindsey Mixon [Terrence] Atkins, and Heather [Adam] Friedrick; his sister, Evelyn Herring; three brothers, Roy E. [Geraldine] Mixon, George [Marilyn] Mixon Jr., and Edward J. Hyde.
Clarence is also survived by nine grandchildren: Rowan Atkins, Aiden Atkins, Dillon Friedrick, Hannah Friedrick, Taylor Friedrick, Jordan Friedrick, Devon Mixon, Tarrah Mixon, and Brandon Mixon.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, January 14, 2022, at Calhoun Funeral Home in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins, pastor of South Euclid United Church of Christ, officiated and delivered the eulogy.
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