Sandefer "Sandy" Mitchell

Sandefer Mitchell (Sandy or “Papa”) was born in Hatchel, Texas, about 50 miles south of Abilene, on November 18, 1924, to Roy Calvin and Eunice Mitchell, the fourth of five children. The family moved to Mansfield, Texas (near Ft. Worth). Sandefer grew up acquainted with rural small-town life, helping with the chickens and livestock, swimming in the creeks and ponds, and running free in the countryside. Sandefer worked hard to help the family, delivering newspapers and milking cows, among other jobs. In High School, he was an athlete and participated in football, track and field, and in gymnastics. In college at North Texas Teachers College, after working the early morning shift at a local dairy, he fell off a climbing rope and suffered a concussion. He remained in a coma for several weeks. When Sandefer was 18 he was eager to serve in the military. But his head injury disqualified him for service. To his delight, in August 1945 he was drafted and deployed to Korea. In April 1948 he completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an officer at Ft. Riley Kansas. While at Ft. Riley, he met Anna Laura Nicolay on a double blind date. They married in October 1948. Sandy enjoyed his 20-year career in the military — serving in Guam, Korea, Missouri, Europe, New York, Okinawa, California, Kansas, and Washington, D.C., and retired in 1965 as a Lt. Colonel. Upon retiring, Sandy moved the family to Houston, and worked for Rice University from 1965 till his retirement in 1993. His Christian faith blossomed after his move to Houston, and he grew in love and generosity. He was very active in church and Bible studies, and especially in prayer. Sandy and Anna moved to Georgetown, Texas, to be closer to family. Anna Laura passed away in 2017. Sandefer moved into Georgetown Living in February 2019.Sandy was very gregarious and outgoing, and loved to tell anyone who would listen stories from his life — often to Mama’s embarrassment — “Oh, Papa, they don’t want to hear about that!”. He liked everyone and was especially charming toward the ladies! He stayed physically fit and played tennis into his 70s. On the court, he would easily outplay his sons and grandchildren -- to their intense annoyance.

The Lord called Sandy home on Sunday March 7th, 2021 at the age of 96. He is survived by three sons: Mark Sandefer, Randolph Calvin, and Terence Alan, and six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home. Services will be live-streamed on Facebook. To access, locate the Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home Facebook page and like the page. The live-stream will begin at 1:55 pm.