Mitchell - Gerald W. Mitchell, fondly known as "Jerry" by many of his family and friends went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, after a long illness. He was born in Rome, Georgia on October 12, 1935. Jerry played football in high school and was a Gator while attending the University of Florida. Jerry majored in Mechanical Engineering. He put himself through college by painting landscapes and portraits. Jerry once painted a portrait of John Young, the 9th astronaut to walk on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. John Young presented Jerry with numerous pictures of the astronauts in their spacesuits and walking on the moon. Jerry caught rattlesnakes in the Gainesville area and sold them to Ross Allen Rattlesnake Farm for the antivenin. He repaired people's washers, dryers and other equipment to earn more for his tuition. Jerry loved archery, guns, and was the Florida Archery Champion one year as well as being a precise, skilled marksman with guns. Jerry loved scuba diving, water skiing and worked at Cypress Gardens in their then-famous waterskiing show while in college. He loved sailing and in his spare time, himself, sons, and nephews built a 50' Catamaran which he named The Dreamweaver and sailed it around the Florida coast. One of the biggest highlights of Jerry's sailing experience was once getting to meet the famous underwater oceanographer, explorer, and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau when Cousteau saw the boat in dock and came over to ask Jerry if he could check it out, of course he said "yes"!

Jerry proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy on the USS Midway and also taught Navigation for a couple of years. He lived in California for a time, working for Hughes Aircraft Company. Jerry returned to Florida and later in his career built custom homes around the state of Florida. A highlight in that career was his opportunity to build the Jacksonville Symphony House, which won many awards. This great honor gave Jerry a chance to meet Wayne and Delores Weaver and Tom Coughlin, the owners at the time, and Coach respectively, of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Imogene Rawles Mitchell;  sister, Linda (John) Danehy; sons, Gerald Wayne, Jr. (Sharon), David and William Mitchell, Christopher (Christine) Kelly; daughter, Tracey Kelly; grandchildren, Michael, Jonathon (Trish), Stephen (Krista), Christy, Elise, Daniel, Tori and Cameron Mitchell, Joshua, Sadie and Matthew Kelly; great-grandchildren, Moriah, Levi and Sophia Mitchell. He is also survived and loved dearly by many nieces and nephews.

The tribute above was prepared by Jerry's loving wife, Imogene.

A Celebration of Jerry's Life will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Callahan First Baptist Church with Dr. Lynn Hyatt officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Storehouse of Northeast Florida, the community food distribution center at Callahan First Baptist Church. The arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida 32011. 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest book.