Gill Marchon Mitchell's Obituary
Gill Marchon Mitchell was born August 9, 1944 in Portland, Oregon. He was the second son of Etta Crossley and Aaron Mitchell. He passed away peacefully at his home in Sandy, Utah on August 2, 2024, one week shy of his 80th birthday. He died of Parkinson’s Disease, C-difficile, and the effects of sixty-six years of Type 1 Diabetes. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Willard H. Mitchell, and his first wife, Linda Bollschweiler Mitchell.
Gill married his high school sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple on February 12, 1695. Linda was born with Cystic Fibrosis and Gill became a Type 1 diabetic at the age of fourteen. Not wanting to pass on those difficult diseases, the chose to adopt. It was a long, emotional process, and they were thrilled to receive two precious babies, a son, Shaun David, and a daughter, Alisa Kay. They were married for twenty-five years when Linda succumbed. Gill loved his six grandsons – David, Zach, Jace, Elliot, Flynn, and Alex – his granddaughter, Ariel, and his twelve great-grandchildren from his and Linda’s family.
On March 2, 1991, Gill married Susan Grant, and helped her rear her four boys – Justin, Jeremy, Courtney, and Christpher. They divorced in 2005. At Justin’s invitation, Gill remained close and continued being the loving grandfather of Justin’s five children – Sklyer, McKenzee, Taylor, Madison, and Emery.
On September 8, 2008, Gill married Peggy Ann Self Olsen. They were sealed in the Draper temple six years later. Gill enveloped Peggy’s five adult children – Jennifer, Eric, Porter, Jacob, and Brian – in his love, along with her fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Together they enjoyed being grandparents to twenty-four grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Gill’s first jobs were spent working in men’s retail clothing (where he gained his penchant for dressing well). His business career was in the national and international traffic management industry. He rose from a clerk to International Traffic Coordinator for Eimco Process Equipment Company in Salt Lake City, UT, where he worked from 1967 to 19863. There he managed all import and export traffic functions, insurances, national and international compliance documentation, and taxes. He planned the best packaging and routes, negotiated and purchased freight prices and schedules, and tracked the transport of gigantic mining, water purification, and other huge machinery. From Salt Lake City, Gill moved the behemoth loads throughout the world using inland, oceanic, and air freight. While working at Eimco, he held leadership positions in the World Trade Associated of Utah. He also mentored students in the Junior Achievement program.
This experience, and his degree in Business Administration, earned him the job of corporate Traffic Manager for R.C. Willey furniture company. His expertise allowed everything purchased by R.C. Willey from foreign and American manufacturers to arrive on time in the company’s stores and distribution centers in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and California. Gill worked for R.C. Willey for twelve years where he was known for dealing fairly and honestly with both the transport companies and the corporation. One highlight was getting to meet and have a photo taken with Warren Buffet with R.C. Willey was purchased by Buffett.
Despite being a Type 1 diabetic, Gill was an active man until his health began to decline about eight years ago. He was a dedicated runner for many years and enjoyed being his son’s Little League baseball coach. He had fun taking his family camping and on trips. He was known for his beautiful landscaping and grass. He loved working in his yard, as it showed immediate results, instead of the lengthy process he had to go through in his work. He also loved photography, golf, and chocolate. Gill was a big fan of U of U sports and was a member of the Crimson Club for several years. He enjoyed watching televised sports and the Olympics.
Gill was known for his generosity and love of people. He always had a story to tell, and loved giving advice to those he know and loved. Being concerned about their future success and happiness was one of his love languages. He loved growing up and being with his cousins and considered his Aunt Marion Margetts his second mom.
Gill Mitchell had a firm testimony of Jesus Christ; He served in numerous leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He took each call seriously. His last calling was serving in the Draper temple baptistry.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Utah Food Bank, his favorite charity.
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