Ronald Elwood Mitchell

He was born in Portsmouth, VA on August 17, 1950 to Reuben and Violet Mitchell, who preceded him in death in 1992.

Ronald was a kind and gentle man and had a strong faith in the Lord. He was a painter by trade, and took great pride in his work.

Being a young man in the late 60s, 70s and 80s he was able to live and be a part of the dynamic changes in our world. He was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt and fish and it was the simple things in life that meant the most to him. He also enjoyed running, tennis, gardening, and was a Native American and American history buff. In his later years, he rekindled his love of art and enjoyed painting colorful pictures and rebuilding and creating art from discarded materials. He enjoyed all holiday and family events, and having cookouts at his home. He had a very good sense of humor and a very unique personality. After a 2 year struggle with kidney failure and the rigors of kidney dialysis, during which he never complained, his mortal body decided it was time to take the next step in the journey of life. Ronald’s lifelong dream has been fulfilled; he is now at the helm of his sailboat, navigating heaven’s oceans.

He will be missed by his family and friends. If Ronald was your friend, he was your friend for life, through thick and thin.

He leaves behind his loving sister, Linda Mitchell; brother Stephen Mitchell (Gloria); nieces Fuschia Moss (Gary), and Leah Case (Mikey), Sophie and Grace Mitchell; great niece Skylar Moss; great nephews Thomas and Mitchell Moss; Aunt Pauline Morton; cousins Bobbie Ann and Donnie Morton, Vicki VanDeGriff (George), Cathy Peters, Debbie Wishart (Ira), Michael Bolding (Vickie), and Gina Loveland (Chad).

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, or Americankidneyfund.com.

A graveside celebration of Ronald’s life will be held at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Friday, December 6, 2013 at 11:00 am,with the Rev. Dr. Tim McDaniel officiating.

Arrangements entrusted Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 5753 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL