Jay was born November 24, 1934 to Ira D. Mitchell and Clara Brown of Murray.

Jay passed peacefully at his home on October 5, 2015.

A proud graduate of Murray High School, Jay excelled at sports. He carried that love to his family and friends. He served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Diane Burden Mitchell, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 30, 1958. They made their home in Midvale, where they raised their five children.

Jay was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in several positions; his favorite being in the young men's and was lovingly referred to as "Colonel."

Fishing, hunting, camping, and snowmobiling at his trailer in Strawberry were some of Jay's other passions. During the Salt Lake Olympics, Jay volunteered and continued his volunteer service wherever he was needed; he was looking forward to working the St. George Sr. Games this week. He found "new" friends everywhere he went. He was an avid talker and made friends with total strangers; wanting to know where they were from and learn about their families.

After retiring from Mountain Bell, Jay and Diane traveled the world enjoying food, culture, sun, and lifetime friends.

After losing his beloved Diane, Jay was blessed to find yet another kind, loving, smart, energetic partner in Betty Riley, along with her loving and caring children. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 18, 2005 and began their journey together with never a dull moment. Whether driving cross country, spending time in St. George, or having a pizza in Spain on Thanksgiving Day, their ten short years together was full of adventure.

Survived by his wife, Betty Riley Mitchell; siblings, Dixie (Glen) Robinson and Lynn (Lona) Mitchell; children, Richard (Denise) Mitchell, Dena (Carey) Palmer, Kristine Weeks, Lisa (Kendall) Summers, Jamie (Mike) Salmon, and Terry Crawford; twenty grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by wife, Diane Burden Mitchell; sister, Jewell (Ray) Steadman; and children, Toni Lynn Mitchell Bailey and Susie (Vickie) Zwan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Parrish Heights Ward Chapel, 610 North Rowland Way, Centerville. Viewings will be held on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street (100 East), Murray, and prior to the services at the church on Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Interment will follow the funeral at 2:00 p.m. in the Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road (1700 West), Taylorsville.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from October 7 to October 8, 2015.

Jay was born November 24, 1934 to Ira D. Mitchell and Clara Brown of Murray.

Jay passed peacefully at his home on October 5, 2015.

A proud graduate of Murray High School, Jay excelled at sports. He carried that love to his family and friends. He served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Diane Burden Mitchell, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 30, 1958. They made their home in Midvale, where they raised their five children.

Jay was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in several positions; his favorite being in the young men's and was lovingly referred to as "Colonel."

Fishing, hunting, camping, and snowmobiling at his trailer in Strawberry were some of Jay's other passions. During the Salt Lake Olympics, Jay volunteered and continued his volunteer service wherever he was needed; he was looking forward to working the St. George Sr. Games this week. He found "new" friends everywhere he went. He was an avid talker and made friends with total strangers; wanting to know where they were from and learn about their families.

After retiring from Mountain Bell, Jay and Diane traveled the world enjoying food, culture, sun, and lifetime friends.

After losing his beloved Diane, Jay was blessed to find yet another kind, loving, smart, energetic partner in Betty Riley, along with her loving and caring children. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 18, 2005 and began their journey together with never a dull moment. Whether driving cross country, spending time in St. George, or having a pizza in Spain on Thanksgiving Day, their ten short years together was full of adventure.

Survived by his wife, Betty Riley Mitchell; siblings, Dixie (Glen) Robinson and Lynn (Lona) Mitchell; children, Richard (Denise) Mitchell, Dena (Carey) Palmer, Kristine Weeks, Lisa (Kendall) Summers, Jamie (Mike) Salmon, and Terry Crawford; twenty grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by wife, Diane Burden Mitchell; sister, Jewell (Ray) Steadman; and children, Toni Lynn Mitchell Bailey and Susie (Vickie) Zwan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Parrish Heights Ward Chapel, 610 North Rowland Way, Centerville. Viewings will be held on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street (100 East), Murray, and prior to the services at the church on Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Interment will follow the funeral at 2:00 p.m. in the Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road (1700 West), Taylorsville.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from October 7 to October 8, 2015.