Gordon "Dutch" James Mietz's Obituary
Gordon James Mietz (Dutch) was born August 29, 1933 to Arthur and Eleanor Powell Mietz in Syracuse, New York. He was a graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy, class of 1951 and Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, class of 1955.
While at Clarkson, Dutch, as a Freshman, lettered and played on Clarkson's last football team. He also earned letters as a member of the golf team and was a four-year letterman on the Golden Knights hockey team. During his senior year he was Captain of the hockey team and recipient of the Pilon Memorial Award (superior hockey ability and outstanding leadership in the student body). In addition, he was a member of the Varsity "C" Club, Sigma Delta fraternity and was an ROTC cadet.
On graduation, Dutch received a degree in business administration and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. After serving two years on active duty, he joined the faculty of Paul Smiths College, Paul Smiths, NY, as an instructor of Accounting. He subsequently joined the I.B.M. Corporation, from which he retired in 1987 after holding positions as Systems Engineer, Systems Analyst, Programming and Data Center Manager and Education Instructor in a 28 year career. In that time, he also participated in IBM's Faculty Loan Program, teaching at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC for the 1983-84 school year. After retiring from IBM, Dutch moved to Davidson, NC where he coached the golf team until retiring from the position in 1993.
Over the years since graduating from Clarkson, Dutch continued his athletic endeavors as a golfer, handball player, long-distance runner and tri-athlete and still worked out on a daily basis. In Davidson he volunteered at the Ada Jenkins Center, St. Alban's Episcopal Church and was an avid fan of Davidson College athletics.
Dutch is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Alice, Richard Mietz, William and (Barbara) Mietz and Barbara and (Mitch) Hartung, and Alice's children, who he raised as his own, David and (Nancy) Dolph and Laura (Dolph) Branham. Also eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Dutch's Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers Memorials may be given to Via Health Partner, Davidson, St. Albans' Episcopal Church and the Pines Residents Fund.
Online condolences may be made at https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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