Jerry Lee Mitchell passed away peacefully at his home in Girard on August 31, 2023. There will be a Celebration of Life this Saturday, November 4, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Raymond Community Home in Girard, with a brief 'service' at 3:00 pm. Afterwards, Pattie is serving Pigwiches at the house, where friends and family can reminisce.
Jerry was born in Girard, Kansas on January 24, 1943 to Frank and Lucille (Lowe ) Mitchell. Jerry resided in Walnut, Ks., farming with his Dad, until he graduated from Stark High School in 1961. He studied music, played football and basketball, loved hunting, fishing and working on old cars. He was active in the Methodist Church and the Young Republicans and planned to attend Baker University to study for the ministry; however, God had other plans. He married Roberta (Bobbie) Lynne Payne, also of Walnut, Ks., on August 12, 1961 (d. 1991). They purchased the home at 507 S. Clover, Girard, in 1970, where they raised their two children, working and attending church and community activities in the small town they so dearly loved.
Jerry is survived by his son Christopher L. Mitchell (Melissa Nichols) of Pittsburg, Ks., and his beloved daughter, Patricia (Pattie) L. Jones of Rogers, Ar., whom he'd been living with due to health issues.
Additional survivors include grandchildren Kyler Clennan of Park City, Ks., Alec Mitchell (Amanda) of Fayetteville, Ar., Gavin Mitchell (Samantha) of Rogers, Ar., Aiden Jones of Rogers, Ar., and a great grandson, Caleb Clennan and his mother, Chelsea Hansard of Derby, Ks. Beth Mitchell, former daughter-in-law (Mom to Alec & Gavin), Dallas, Tx., also survives. Beth and Jerry remained close and had a unique bond filled with lots of love and constant laughter!
Jerry married Barbara J Henry of Arma, Ks., Sept 25, 1993 (d. 2016), and she and her three daughters also survive. Shauna (Shane) Hill, Stefani (Neil) Wilkins and Courtney Henry- Beeler, all of Park City, Ks. Between them, he had 9 grandchildren, Bailey, Caden, Carly, Kaela, David, Lauren, Ava, Olivia, and Jaden, as well as 9 great grandchildren. Sadly, Caden Anderson preceded him in death on August 31, 2022. He happily took on the roll of step-father and grandfather (Pops) and loved and spoiled them as his own! During their time together, Jerry and Barbara enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family, especiallly at their cabin on Farlington Lake.
In recent years, Jerry met Janeth Birkencamp of Joplin, Mo., and she and her daughter, Vanessa, also survive. Jan and Vanessa were an important part of his life during the past 7 years, and he considered Vanessa another bonus daughter, as she considered him her second Dad. Jan loved cooking for Jerry whenever possible, and she purposely made too much, always sending coolers and bags full of food back to Arkansas for he and Pattie to enjoy.
Jerry would've wanted to mention his surviving dear friends, Joe & Donna Reisinger of Cincinatti, Oh., Ed & Terry Huntsicker of Springfield, Mo., and John (Peggy) Webb of Joplin, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his childhood best friend, Jim Finley, and his very best friend, sailing partner and Pigwich Entrepreneuer, Bob (Rope) Townsend.
Jerry found his greatest calling when he started work at Vay-Co Hi Business Forms (FMI, Inc.) in Girard. This would lead him to own and operate Ace Forms, Inc., Pittsburg, Ks, with co-workers and friends, Leon Bogner, Bob Pyle, Ray Shaffer, and Bob Gladson. As Jerry once said, "The things they accomplished and the memories they made were too many to mention, but 'worked hard and played even harder' should cover it!" He received many awards and (high class) recognition over his 30 plus years in the Business Forms Industry. He was a board member and Vice Chairman of the National Business Forms organization during the 1980's and truly loved his work! Jerry was fortunate enough to live in Kansas City, Mo, Joliet, Ill., and Chicago, Ill., as well as travel all over the country with his family. Through his extensive business contacts, he formed many life long friendships. He was introduced to The Indianapolis 500 in 1968, which he attended for many consecutive years, sharing his love of the race with Pattie and Chris's friends, as well as cousins, friends and co-workers. Jerry always loved the water. He grew up fishing daily with his parents on their farm and was always standing beside them on opening day of Trout Season at Roaring River State Park. Jerry also had a love of sailing that would last a lifetime and be passed on to his children. The family often sailed Farlington Lake and owned several sailboats moored at Stockton Lake, Missouri. Jerry was fortunate enough to make numerous trips to the Abaco's, Bahamas with his family and friends, chartering and Captaining a sailboat for weeks at a time. Jerry and Bobbie owned Country Limited, antique and gift shop, in Girard during the '80's, as well as, created and pioneered one of the area's first food trucks, The Pigwich, enjoyed at nearly every fair, homecoming or festival in the area. Bob and Joye Townsend, and later, Barbara, also contributed to the success of the Pigwich over the years. Jerry definitely had the gift of gab, which was a huge advantage as a salesman. Friends and family were everything to him, and it's a sure bet that he would have loved to attend a celebration of life for himself to tell his stories and see everyone laugh and smile fondly at his memory!
Again, there will be a Celebration of Life this Saturday, November 4, 2:00-4:00pm, at the Raymond Community Home in Girard, with a brief 'service' at 3:00pm.
