Jeffrey “Jeff” Geme Mitchell was the first son of James and Helen Mitchell, born on January 18, 1952 at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Cheltenham High in Wyncote, Pennsylvania in 1972 and went on to college at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio where he played football. After a knee injury, Jeff returned to Philadelphia, to finish his collegiate studies at Temple University where he received a B.S. in Radio, Communications and Television. He went on to work at a CBS network, Channel 10 in Philadelphia, for several years. He enlisted in the U.S Army in September 1979 with a SP5 rank and served in active duty through March 1981. While stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, his primary specialty was #24C20 Improved HAWK Firing Section Mechanic. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal First Award, the Rifle M16 Sharpshooter Qualification Badge and the Hand Grenade Expert Qualification Badge. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Fort Stewart, George in March 1981. He severed through March 1983 specializing as an Air Defense Officer. He was also awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Rifle – M16A1, First Class Hand Grenade and Expert Pistol .45 Caliber awards. After his discharge from the military, Jeff worked in radio as a radio air personality with I95 WSAI in Savannah GA and the WIZF-FM in Cincinnati, OH. He had a love for the jazz, rock and roll, spoken word, science and electronics and ventured into the mechanics of telecommunications where he worked for many years until his recent retirement in 2016. Jeff was a servant to his community by participating in his church as a cameraman, a mentor and being on the Spring Independent School District Board. In addition, he was an advisory council member of the Texas Association of School Boards legislative committee (TASB). His love for mentoring our communities youth lead him to teaching as a substitute teacher at Spring ISD and was in the process of obtaining his teaching certification when he died. Jeff is preceded in death by his father James Geme Mitchell and his mother Helen E. Mitchell. Jeffrey is survived by his beloved wife Gretchen of 42 years, his daughter Leslie Elaine Mitchell, his son Jimi Garner Mitchell, two granddaughters Amaya Mitchell-Lachapelle and Journey Berry and one grandson Jayden Mack. Jeff is also surveyed by two sisters, Tracy Mitchell in Charlotte and Robin Levy (spouse Irvin) in Houston, and one brother Reverend Kevin Mitchell (spouse Pamela) in Pennsylvania, Walter White: Brother-in-law (spouse Diane) in Houston, Phyllis Washington: sister-in-law in Philadelphia, Diane Pieter: Sister-in-law in Georgia, Evelyn Caine: sister-in-law in New York and a host of nieces and nephews that includes: Jaime Lynn Mitchell, Montana Marie Mitchell, Marta Gore, Shaun Pieter, Vanessa Caine, Dakota Holman, Schneque Allen, Stephanie Tatum, cousin Robert Bell and a number of great nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Jeff was a Christian, enjoyed life and loved people, especially his family. He loved music from all Genre’s and played the acoustic and electric bass. Whenever you would visit the “Mitchells Home” you would here jazz, Hendrix, P-Funk, Old school and good soul music playing. The “Mitchell Home” was the neighborhood home where his children’s friends could come by for advice, a quick bite to eat or just experience the love throughout the home. He had a way of getting through to our youth that was infectious. Pops is what they called him. He would say, “Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it”. Straight talk with love, caring and feelings that every one of them knew was real. Jeff, Pops, dad, neighbor, friend and my love also had a head and skill for technology. From posting photos and videos of his grandchildren’s many talents and antics, to sharing links on the current state of our union -- he loved to keep his family and friends informed. He also loved to play the guitar, read, mentor, do special projects and ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Jeff was a loving, nurturing, humble man and his gentle spirit will live vicariously through all he touched! He was the real deal, the LEGEND!
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