Jerry Mitchell Sr.

Jerry Mitchell, Sr. was born January 31, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas to John Mitchell and Fannie Mae Turner. He grew up on the Golden Westside of Fresno, California on Poppy Street, where he gained many neighborhood friends.

Jerry attended Kirk Elementary, Irwin Jr High and Edison High School where he played football for the Edison Tigers with his classmates of 1970.

He worked at National Linen for many years, where he earned recognition as one of the best “Truck Drivers for Commercial Laundry Services. He loved his family and was the proud father of Five children whom he cherished and loved.

Jerry was a man of his word and believed in what he thought. He always told it just like it was, even at times being blunt and frank. His favorite dishes were rice with butter and sugar and hot link sandwiches. In later years, his favorite hangout was in the “Cut”, near Westside Market.

He lived his life as Jerry wanted to live it. His love for his children could not be measured and without any thought for himself, he would protect them at any cost. Jerry Sr. was a man of few words, and some may say a lot of "action". He had that Mitchell way about himself. In his last days, Jerry accepted Christ with his daughter Tashall Denise Mitchell at his side in the Fresno Community Hospital.

Jerry Mitchell Sr leaves to cherish his memory, his five children Jerry Mitchell Jr. (Debra), Sacramento, California, Ricky D. Mitchell (deceased), Precious Henley-Mitchell, Bakersfield, California, Tashall Denise Mitchell of Sacramento, California, and Jermaine Mitchell (Carmelita Pilloni-Mitchell) Santa Clara, California, Brothers: John Muldrow (Dorothy) Tulsa Oklahoma, Henry Lee Turner Jr. (Deceased) Lee Arthur Turner (Corine), Fresno, California, Jimmy D. Turner Sr. (Deceased), Sisters: Norma Jean Temple, Fresno California, Valarie Bankston (Cedric), Stockton California, Gail Thomas (Robert), Grady, Oklahoma, Alice Carter, Chicago, Illinois, Marjorie Mitchell-Marshall (Zachary), Chicago, Illinois, Tonya Michelle Turner Fresno California, Uncles Roosevelt Mitchell (Annette), William Mitchell (Betty) and Aunt Juanita Miller (Odell) all of Little Rock, Arkansas, 21 grandchildren,13 great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Special acknowledgement to the mothers of his five children, Gloria Walker (Jerry Jr)

Linda Breelove- Cole (Ricky Mitchell) Marilyn Henley (Precious Henley-Mitchell) Vada Lee Coleman (Tashall Denise Mitchell) Pamela Perry (Jermaine Mitchell). His child-in-love, Solyn Laney, Bryant D. Franklin, Michael Cole (deceased), and Eric Cole and his favorite cousin Tishia Janet Mitchell- Taylor.

“God knew you were tired, and he called you to close your eyes and rest in his care. We will miss you, Daddy. We thank you for blessing us with your legend, love, and most of all for being our father, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Rest now and let God take care of you.”