James Luther Mitchell

James Luther Mitchell (Jay) passed away on July 4th in Keller, Texas at age 92. He was born in Turkey, Texas to Luther and Mabel Mitchell on February 9th, 1931. Jay married the love of his life, Mary Jean Kuehl of Pampa, TX on December 26th, 1950.

He served in the Air Force for twenty-three years at various duty stations around the globe including Southeast Asia, Germany, California, and Area 51 Nevada. He retired as a decorated Senior Master Sergeant in 1972. He then pursued a second career as Operations Director at Amarillo College where he retired again after twenty plus years.

Jay was a devoted husband and father that believed in serving his God and country. His greatest joy was being with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jay also loved all of the special dogs he owned throughout the years, especially Dickens. He enjoyed backyard barbeques and making homemade ice cream for his grandkids. Vacations were spent with family on the lake, on the ocean and many mountain locations, including, Fun Valley, Colorado.

He was gifted with his hands and enjoyed wood working and fabricated numerous bird houses for family and friends. He had a servant’s heart and spent countless days volunteering at the Washington Street Family Service Center in Amarillo and at his church. His family and friends could always count on his “helping hands”.

Jay is survived by two children, Suzan Denise Thomas of Keller, Texas and Brian Lynn and wife Kelly Mitchell of Jacksonville, Florida, seven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his oldest son, Mark Dwain Mitchell, and a son-in-law, William (Bill) Rick Thomas, Sr.

“You took away my clothes of sadness and clothed me in happiness” Psalm 30:11
Rest in peace, “Papa!” We love you!

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