Rodney Buchanan Mitchell, 73, of Zephyrhills passed away peacefully at home on February 26,2019. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 16, 1945 to Rodney Carl Mitchell and Zola Mae Solsberry who predeceased him. Rodney is survived by his loving family, wife Sandra Ellis, daughter Jessica L. Mitchell, granddaughter Rowan N. Mitchell, son, William H. Mitchell, (Katherine), brother Neil Mitchell (Linda) and nephews Chad Mitchell and Nick Mitchell of Lufkin, Texas.

Rodney was a 1963 graduate of Putnam City High School, and he continued his education at EI Centro Junior College in Dallas and also at Oklahoma City University. He served four years in the Air Force National Guard working in aviation and electronics. His career path led him to become an electronics field engineer where his love of problem solving in the engineering and mechanical field served him well.

Rodney was devoted to his family, and his family always came first. He was a man of high character, integrity, a strong work ethic and was always a man of his word. One of his greatest accomplishments was that Jessica, Will, and Rowan learned by his strong example and they live his example each day. All three also inherited his love of reading, lifelong learning, cats, and of course his greatest recreational love, fishing.

Rodney never met a stranger. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. He was well known as a great cook and the Master of Barbeque. In retirement he took up organic gardening where his crops where so abundant that he proudly gave hundreds of pounds of produce away to his friends and acquaintances. The salsa he made from his tomatoes was a prized gift.

Although physically not with us, Rodney's character will live on as an example to the family, but also those who knew him. Even in life, when confronted with a problem, each one would ask, "What would Rodney, Dad, or Grandpa do" He is greatly missed and we are happy he was in our lives.

Graveside services were held on Friday, March, 15, under the direction of Hodges Funeral Home. Rodney was laid to rest with military honors and the Rev. Tod Shouse of Our Savior Lutheran Church officiating.