Jack Paul Mitchell, Sr.

Memorial Services for Jack Paul Mitchell, Sr., 85 of Jefferson, Texas will be held on Sunday, January 4,2026 at 2:00pm in the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home with Jack Carroll III and Barry Grimes officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home.

Jack Mitchell passed from his earthly life to his eternal life in heaven on December 11, 2025, in Longview, Texas. He was born December 27, 1939, at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas, to his parents, Irene E. Van Wie and Donald B. Mitchell.

He attended grade school in New Orleans and Minden, Louisiana, until 1955, when his father opened a Western Auto in Longview, Texas. Jack played high school football for the Longview Lobos and claimed to have had all the Collier coaches during his four years. Upon graduation, his father gave him a choice: join the military or find a place on the streets. Jack chose the U.S. Marine Corps, which was a perfect fit. Jack proudly served on a Mediterranean tour, where he took on gunfire from the Lebanese, and he completed his service at Pearl Harbor as a military police officer. Jack played Marine Corps football for three years. He was an avid power lifter while in the Marines and continued this love after returning home. Jack still holds the Texas state record for his weight class in deadlifting.

Jack was a sports enthusiast. He followed the Dallas Cowboys since their inception in 1960, except for the one year when they took the knee—but somehow he still knew whether they had won or lost.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1963, he returned home to work at Kelly Springfield, where he met Bud Bivens, who he graciously gave a ride to work each day. In 1964, he met and married Charlotte Ruth Carroll. Jack was the second person hired at the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company and worked there for over 35 years until they closed.

Jack and Charlotte raised two children: Dr. Jack P. Mitchell Jr. and his wife, Laura. Their four children are Jonathan Nelson and his wife, Alyssa Howard, and daughter, Violet Nelson; Capt. David Nelson of the U.S. Navy; Noelani Hootman and her husband, Sam; and Jacqueline Mitchell. His daughter Teresa Grimes and husband, Barry. Their five children are Savannah Cook and her husband, Will, and son, Liam; Alexis Metz and her husband, Austin; Isaac Grimes and his wife, Sophie; Ariana Clower and her husband, Cason; and Elijah Grimes.

Jack leaves behind four brothers: John D. Mitchell and wife Evelyn of Richardson; Jimmy Mitchell and wife Martha of Fresno; David Mitchell of Portland, Oregon; and his baby brother, Guy Mitchell of Longview. Also surviving him are his beloved dog, Maggie May, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who share in the grief of his passing.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Irene E. Van Wie; father, Donald B. Mitchell; brother, Jerry Mitchell; sisters Vivian Scoher, Joan Jerolman, and Barbara Constance Hill; and great-granddaughter, Avielle Xena Metz.

Those who wish to remember Jack in a special way may make donations to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots or plant a tree in East Texas.

We recognize and send special thanks to the folks at Avir Nursing Home, Healing Hearts Homecare, and 3 Oaks Hospice for their compassionate care and understanding during his last months of life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack Paul Mitchell, Sr., please visit our floral store.