John "Lizzard" Mitchell

John (Lizzard) W. Mitchell, age 73, passed away at home with his wife Cathy at his side. He was born in Illinois but ultimately raised in Tucson, Arizona where he was a loving little brother to his sister Maggie who he played in the desert with. Growing up he was a rebel rouser at times but always had a heart of gold that shined. He experienced times with family and friends at taco nights and hunting trips. To remember his Pop, hunting remained a large part of John’s (Lizzard’s) life. Participating in trips to Arizona where he hunted Havolina and Deer with his Pop. He would also go to Colorado to hunt Elk with the Ironworkers. In 1965, he joined the Navy where he served two tours in the Vietnam War. Not long after, he would leave the Navy to marry the love of his life Cathy in 1969 and have his favorite and only daughter Renee. Then he found his forever occupation with the Local 433 Ironworkers. Everyday he would strap a belt on his ass and get to work, because once an Ironworker always an Ironworker.

If you ever met him, you are certainly lucky. He was known for not holding back and telling it like it is. John (Lizzard) was a Husband, Daddy, Son, Papa, Uncle, Friend. Not only was the food the best, but the stories that came with them like: golfing with the old farts, politics, downright honest advice, and his winnings from the casinos he gambled at. These conversations just showed the brilliance and experience that exuded from him. The impact John (Lizzard) had on people, especially loved ones is something that can’t be measured.

He is survived by his wife (of 51 ½ years) Cathy, daughter Renee (Patrick), his mother Marjorie Clinton, grandchildren Ashley (Cody), Jake (Jaqie), Allison (Charlie), Payton (Brandon), Lil Patrick, and great grandchildren Owen, Harper, Bentley, and Bradley.

John is preceded in death by Pop Walter Mitchell and Big Sister Maggie.

An old IronWorker wake will be held shortly after at Law’s Bar on Indiana Avenue in Riverside, CA. Please respect everybody’s distance and wear masks.

In Lieu of Flowers, make a donation in the name of John Mitchell to the American Association of Diabetes Foundation and the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Society.