Jay Neely "Coach" Mitchell Col. Ret.

Jay "Coach" Neely Mitchell, Col. USAF Ret. January 1, 1937 - September 14, 2013 Jay Neely Mitchell Col. USAF Ret., known by his USAF Pilot call sign "Coach", went home to the Lord on Saturday, September 14, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Born January 1, 1937, Coach was raised on a cattle ranch just outside Artesia, New Mexico. He graduated from Artesia High School Class of 1955, and was a member of the inaugural graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy in 1959. While at the Air Force Academy, Coach was involved in a variety of activities, including lightweight division boxing. He was a talented pianist and was blessed with a rich baritone singing voice, and he used those gifts to help form the academy's Cadet Chorale. From there, he served in the USAF as a test pilot as well as a Vietnam War fighter pilot, who served several tours overseas. He married Virginia Scott in March of 1961. They had three children together, and upon his retirement from the Air Force in June of 1986, settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After his retirement, Coach was able to focus on his love of woodworking, and opened up MitchCraft Enterprises Custom Cabinets and Furniture, which kept him busy until early 2005. After Virginia's death in October 2000, Coach was lucky enough to find love and happiness again with Barbara Smith, whom he married in June of 2004. Preceding him in death are his parents, JT & Ollidean Mitchell, a brother, Jim Mitchell, and sister, Sandra Mitchell, as well as his first wife, Virginia S. Mitchell. He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Mitchell, of Albuquerque, NM, his children, Michael (Tiina) Mitchell of Mesa, AZ, Sue Judd of Albuquerque, NM, and Margo (Travis) Williams, of Wasilla, AK, and grandchildren Charles (Rachael) Mitchell, Teresa (Brandon) Shambaugh, Katherine (Leonard) Shapiro, Davin Mitchell, Amanda Poe, Allie Poe, and five great-grandchildren. Coach is loved and will be missed by many. His life was an example to all who knew him.