Jay Thomas Mitchell

Jay Thomas Mitchell, 50, of Newburgh, IN, passed away March 11, 2017. Jay was born on January 26, 1967 to Louis T. and Peggy (Frei) Mitchell and was the youngest of 6 siblings. Jay graduated from Memorial High School in 1985 where he excelled in sports. He was an invaluable member of the State Championship Boys Soccer Team his junior and senior years and was also the kicker for the football team his senior year. He enjoyed playing many sports throughout his life, particularly softball and volleyball.

After graduating from Memorial, Jay followed in his big brother Brian’s footsteps and became a Journeyman Pipefitter working for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 136. He received the Scott G. Sandleben Award while he was an apprentice. Jay received his 30-year service pin last year and had a hand in constructing many buildings in the tri-state.

He met his wife Laura in 1993 at their favorite local hangout, proposed to Laura that same evening, got married the following summer, and soon after was blessed with two sons, Josiah and Jacob. They spent many joyful years together full of camping trips, beach and Disney vacations and most memorably simple, every day, love-filled moments. Jacob loved his dad’s silly smirk when he was messing with somebody, enjoyed spending time with him fixing and making things, and loved playing the video game Tomb Raider together while eating starburst candy. Josiah loved how his dad generously helped his family and others. He was an extremely selfless man who never complained and never hesitated to help anyone in need.

Jay was his family’s “Mr. Fix-It” and tackled many woodworking, remodeling, home and auto repair jobs. In 2008 Jay and Laura opened Mitchell Art Academy & Clay Studio where he found he had a talent for metalworking, the potter’s wheel and ceramics. Jay especially enjoyed helping Laura teach, spending time with the students and making them laugh. He was lovingly referred to as “Mr. Jay.” He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and many friends, and never turned down a chance to shoot hoops or play a game of cornhole or euchre. Jay shined a light into the life of everyone he met, especially his wife. He was a true gentleman, had unbridled energy and enthusiasm and he left the world a much better place than he found it. Laura, Josiah, Jacob and Jesus Christ were the loves of his life.

He is preceded in death by parents, Louis T. Mitchell and Peggy (Frei) Mitchell; infant sister, Mary Mitchell; aunts, Mary “Birdie” (Frei) Slatton, Sue (Spindler) Mitchell; and uncle, William “Bill” O’Bryan.

Jay is survived by his wife of 22 years, Laura (Johns) Mitchell; sons, Josiah and Jacob Mitchell; sisters, Beth (Chris) Wolf, Jill Mitchell; brothers, Brian (Melissa) Mitchell, Bruce (Launa) Mitchell, Jack (Christen) Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews, all of them his “favorites.”

Many heartfelt sentiments of gratitude go out to those who prayed for and donated to his fight, to his surgeon Dr. Patel, his oncologist Dr. Ziegler and nurses at OHA, and especially to the nurses and staff of Charlier Hospice Center. To fight a good fight is to win.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel officiated by Celebrant Carrie Hatchett. Friends may visit 2:00 pm until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Holly’s House, or The First Christian Church of Eldorado IL.