Vernon A. "J" Mitchell, Jr.

Vernon Arthur Mitchell, Jr., known to family and friends as J, joined the Church Triumphant on January 19, 2024. He served the Kilgore community just as his grandfather and father before him, providing care and compassionate service to bereaved families at Rader Funeral Home. J was a much-loved son, a devoted father, an adoring grandfather, a doting partner, a loyal employer, an older brother, and a cherished friend.

Born May 6, 1960, in Kilgore, Texas, J was predeceased by his father Vernon Mitchell, brother Mark Rader Mitchell, maternal grandparents Bennie and LeRoy Rader, paternal grandparents Inez and E.A. “Bo” Mitchell, and step-father Bobby Stroope.

After graduating from Kilgore High School in 1978, J attended Texas Tech University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity. He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a B.S. in business administration/finance and completed his professional training at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He returned to Kilgore, assuming duties in the family business and became involved in a number of civic organizations, regularly demonstrating his willingness to accept leadership roles. He was a member of the Rotary Club, past president of both the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce 1993 and the United Way 1990-91, and a board member of the Boy Scouts. He served on the boards of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association (President 1991-92) and Texas Funeral Directors Association. He was recognized by his peers as Funeral Director of the Year in 1996. Rader Funeral Home recently celebrated its 85th year in business and J was very proud to have been an active member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes organization during the over 30 years he led Rader.

As a third-generation member of First Presbyterian Church Kilgore, J served his church in a number of capacities; he was both a deacon and an elder and taught the Baby Boomers Sunday School class, but perhaps he took the greatest pride in his time as chairman of the Property Committee. He knew every nook and cranny in that church! Most recently, J was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. J Mitchell was an attentive host and an excellent cook; both brought him much joy. He loved taking his children and their friends for adventures in the 1962 Willis Jeep, surprising trick-or-treaters, enjoying a great meal with friends, being at Lake Cherokee, bird hunting, talking with old friends, and having his family all together.

J is survived by his partner Karen Russell of Tyler; son Phillip Rader Mitchell and wife Ashlee of Aledo; son Britt Parker Mitchell and wife Megan of Fulshear; daughter Marjorie Letitia Mitchell and fiancée Devin Talbot of Austin; and grandchildren Addison India Mitchell, Bowen Parker Mitchell, Bobby Phillip Mitchell and Austin Cade Mitchell. Also surviving J are his mother India Rader Stroope; his sister Missy Lumpkins and husband Lonnie; his niece Dana Leigh Hudelson and husband James; his nephew Mark Mitchell Deerinwater and wife Ashley; the mother of his children Penni Parker Mitchell; his loyal Rader employees; a number of cousins; and a host of good friends and extended family—all of whom have been left with grand memories that will forever bring a story and a smile.

A visitation will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26th, with a service at First Presbyterian Church Kilgore at 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, January 27th. Rev. Will Wilson of First Presbyterian Church Kilgore and Dr. Stuart Baskin of First Presbyterian Church Tyler will officiate. Lifelong friends and honorary pallbearers are Trey Smith, Britt Smith, Steve Mobley, Jim Griffin, Brian Hancock, Frank Parker, Jack R. Parker, and Bullet Watson. Pallbearers are Ryan Griffin, Andrew Terrell, David Stanley, Mark Deerinwater, Parker Moseley and Bradley Carpenter. J will be laid to rest alongside his father, brother and grandparents at Kilgore Cemetery.

J’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks to his friends, neighbors, business associates, caregivers, and church families for their prayers and kindnesses over the last several months. You brought J much joy and lifted his spirits; we are so grateful for your faithfulness. Should you choose to make a donation in J’s memory, two charities important to him are the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.