Lascelles Irwin Mitchell Sr. graduated from earthly life to be with our Lord and Savior the evening of May 21st, 2017. Born on July 28th, 1942, in Rural Hill Jamaica, to the parents of Wilbert Mitchell and Doris Panton, Dad grew up surrounded by natural beauty, but often faced austerity that enhanced his faith that God would see him through everything (Romans 8:28). As a young boy in Buff Bay Jamaica, Dad was quite diligent and became a leader in everything he did: in addition to primary school and chores, he was responsible for preparing dinner and Bible study for his mother and brothers. During his teen years, he moved to Fair Prospect near Long Bay Jamaica and grasped his grandparents’ wisdom as he continued to develop educationally, with honor and integrity. Dad greatly admired his “jack of all trades” grandfather and always did his personal best at everything he was assigned. Lascelles moved up to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica and attended University in Mandeville while working several jobs to earn and maintain his position at University. During his junior year in University, he moved to the United States and completed his degree in business management from DePaul University in Chicago Illinois. His tested and refined personal qualities from childhood paid great dividends because after college, he worked for Amoco and British Petroleum as an award-winning employee for over 27 years.

Dad was a competitive and highly skilled, tournament-winning golfer, and loved biking, tennis, soccer, pool, backgammon, and dominos. Granted, he would invariably win against any opponent--yet--he unselfishly and humbly used his victories to teach us the winning strategic principles to better both ourselves and others around him. He loved music; he would play everything from reggae to Chopin to honor and comfort his guests. Dad was an absolutely top-notch exquisite cook—even five course meals were easy for him to prepare and his guests never left his home hungry!

Dad was a private, reserved, and disciplined man of few words but those precious dialogs were always accompanied with a deeply thunderous laugh, reinforced with loving, and compassionate actions towards Christ, family, and friends. As a family, his actions instilled in myself, and my twin brothers, Michael and Mark, the values of leadership, integrity, and determination. Nearing life’s “finish line,” he boldly stated he has no regrets in life and concluded, “cancer wasn’t all that bad because it gave me time to read and enjoy the Bible even more." He is survived by many brothers, aunts, uncles, and sons: Lascelles Mitchell Jr (Carrie) of San Antonio, Texas; Michael (Jennifer) Mitchell of Castro Valley, California; and Mark (Tawakalitu) Mitchell of Oak Park, Illinois, and grandchildren: Gabrielle, Blake, Miles, and Sophia. He was proceeded in death by his former wife, Joyce M Mitchell, his father, and mother.

Rather than memorials, please know that God loves you and we encourage you to accept His Son, Christ, as your Lord and Savior. At this time, there may be a small semi-private memorial service in the fall of 2017. Please contact me, Lascelles Jr, by e-mail mitch767@aol.com for upcoming events. As Dad would say, “take care…catch you on the other side!”