Jonathan Edward Emery Mitchell

August 28, 1977 — March 21, 2023

Jonathan Edward Emery Mitchell was born Aug. 28, 1977, in Edmonds, Wash., to Alan Mitchell and ZoeAnn Rogers. Jon spent his early years in the Seattle area, moving to Oak Harbor in 1985 with his sister, Alicia, after Alan met and proposed to Antonia (Tonica) Marshall. Jon graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1995.

The words kind, patient and selfless do not even begin to scratch the surface when trying to describe Jon. Jon was the man who would pull over in a torrential downpour just to help a fellow driver broken down on the side of the road. He was the man who would put his own troubles aside to help someone else who was struggling. Jon had the unique gift of connecting with every person he met, making them feel important and heard, or simply just putting a smile on their face. His bright beautiful smile could light up the darkest sky, and his infectious laugh could cheer up even the gloomiest of souls.

Jon was an outdoorsman, an incredibly skilled mechanic, a musician, and a dog lover through and through. He found his passion for fishing and crabbing later in life and was bound with the sea ever since. Jon spent the last few summers seining and tendering in Alaska with his cousin, Craig, and Craig’s sons. 

When he wasn’t working on boats, he could be found in his other happy places – working on engines, painting cars, cutting down trees, building huge bonfires, playing guitar, skipping rocks on the beach, taking road trips, snowboarding or spending time with family. 

Jon loved to learn and was incredibly smart – he could tell you 100 fun facts about almost anything you had a question about. He was goofy and witty and could make anyone laugh, no matter their mood. He hated mayonnaise and the color yellow. He loved music and IPAs. He had a fascination with rocks and said he might have been a geologist in another life. He loved science fiction and would fall asleep every night to a different cheesy sci-fi movie. He would walk miles to pick up a buoy he spotted on the beach. He loved each of his dogs with all his heart and cried for days every time one of them passed. Jon never complained, even when he had every right to. He saw the best in people even when they couldn’t see it in themselves. 

Jon was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ben and Rose Mitchell, and Joop and Tonny Westerkamp, and his sister, Alicia. He is survived by his parents, Alan and Tonica Mitchell; brothers Ricard Rogers, Eric (Michele) and Ted Marshall; a niece, Janay Baeyen; several nephews, Elijaha Mitchell, Preston Bailey, Noah Marshall, Dillon Mitchell, and Angelo Marshall; and countless cousins, aunts and uncles. 

Loss does not begin to describe the emotion felt by those he has left behind. His presence on this earth was larger than life and there is a void now that will never be filled. The joyful memories and funny stories of Jon are simply too numerous to recount, but those are what we will remember of him and carry with us the rest of our lives. When we think of Jon, it will be of his beautiful green eyes, beaming smile and one-of-a-kind laugh. He is and will forever be missed beyond measure. 

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jon Saturday, May 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the west kitchens at Windjammer Park. All are welcome to stop by and share a memory.