John Brice Mitchell

Johnny passed away at 3:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. He was 76 years old. He had bravely battled bladder and esophageal cancer for the last 6 years with chemotherapy and radiation and recently had been deemed cancer free. On Sept. 3, he fell and fractured his right hip and developed post-op complications.

Johnny was born in Miami, Florida to Annie Laura (Jackson) Mitchell and William Lonnie Mitchell Jr.

The family moved to Fort Myers in 1958, where they made their home in Olga with four children: Billy, Johnny, Cindy, and Julie.

Johnny attended Alva High School, later earning a diploma from American School, Chicago, Illinois. He also attended Edison Community College in Ft. Myers.

Johnny married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Krebs, in December 1967. They moved into a house next door to Johnny’s mom and dad and raised their two children. This December would mark their 59th Anniversary.

Over the years, Johnny worked many different jobs and trades, including with Bill Smith Air Conditioning. He learned the trade of making and installing A/C fiberglass duct board. Later, he went to work for Hessler’s as a helper for carpet and vinyl installation. He then started his own subcontracting business and worked for the major flooring companies in Ft. Myers.

Finally, he went to work at Lee Memorial Hospital where he retired after 23 years in Plant Operations (1984–2007).

Johnny loved all things bright and shiny—Christmas lights, candles, strobe lights, and all children and animals. He loved his cowboy hats and boots, dressing up with hats and beads for holidays, old-time country music, all animals and his fish, telling jokes and his famous mongoose prank, cooking and baking.

He was a simple man with a huge heart and would give you the shirt off his back.

Most dear to Johnny was his family, and he leaves behind his loving wife, Barb, and two children: Stacey (Phillip) Roesch and Barbara (Buffy) Miller. He also leaves 4 grandchildren: Emily Elizabeth (Scott) Buster, Nicholas Roesch, Bryan John Miller, and Bradley Mitchell Miller, and 2 great-grandchildren: Luca Buster and Adelyn Buster. He also leaves behind two sisters, Julie and Cindy, and several nieces and nephews.He also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Barry Stinson.

He was predeceased by his brother, William (Billy) Mitchell III, and parents William Lonnie Mitchell Jr. and Annie Mitchell.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shah at Florida Cancer Specialists, Dr. Mantz (Genesis), and Dr. Tolbert (Primary Care).

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10:00 a.m. at Lee Memorial Park on Highway 82.

Pastor Tim Stewart of Buckingham Presbyterian Church will be officiating.