On July 10, 2018 Gerald left for a while, but he will always be with us. Gerald was known to his friends as Jerry or Mitch; to his children as Dad and his grandchildren as Papa.

He was born on February 11, 1933 to Robert Bond and Annie Laurie (Bennett) Mitchell in Memphis, Tennessee, where he grew up and attended Memphis State University on a football scholarship. Jerry played all sports well and made the first team as a freshman. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. At MSU, he met Nedra Christina Ramey, and after a short courtship, they were married in 1953. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and was trained as a pilot. He served as an instructor pilot, as a radar maintenance officer, and as a transport pilot in Vietnam.

He was accompanied by his family to an assignment in Spain for three years. While there, the family enjoyed touring Europe and began a love of travel which they enjoyed for many years to come. After he had served 10 years in the Air Force, Jerry was offered a position as a pilot for American Airlines.

He loved his job, the many friends he made and living in Denton, Texas. He enjoyed the activities of the American Airlines Club in Denton and he and Nedra had many trips and good times with these friends, Republican buddies, and others from the old Southridge neighborhood. After 25 years with American, he retired and traveled as much as possible with Nedra, family and friends. His family always came first and he had a great time playing with the grands and great grands.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Christia Parr Mitchell and his granddaughter, Miranda Mitchell.

He leaves his wife, Nedra and his sons, Andrew and Gerald Jr.; his brothers, Robert Jr. (Skip) and wife, Margaret, John and wife, Kathy; his grandchildren, Andrea Boenker, Enrica (Kate) Binion and husband, Shane, Helen (Betsy) Stain and husband, Brandon, Mitchell Antolik, Alexandria Antolik and Jennifer Mantle and husband, Stephen. His great grandchildren were also blessings and were greatly beloved. They are: Victoria Olson; Ian, Zachary and Sophia Lepkoske; Christia and Emilia Binion and Brittany, Brandon and Bryce Mantle.

Visitation will be Friday, July 13, 2018 from Noon to 2:00 PM in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors.  The Memorial Service will follow in the DeBerry Funeral Chapel at 2:00PM. Interment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas following the service.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.