Rodney Mitchell Jr., 65, passed away Wednesday (June 21), at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., after a short illness. Mitchell was born on April 10, 1952 in Dover, Del., son of the late Kathryn and Rodney Mitchell Sr.
He was a successful land developer and stable owner. Mitchell possessed a passion for horses and his stable was very active not only within the confines of his own state, but on the national level as he co-owned the 2007 Hambletonian Oaks winner, Danae as well as 2007 Breeders Crown winner Artcotic.
Mitchell also was the recipient of the 2007 Barasch Memorial Breakthrough Award from the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and was a staunch promoter of and fundraiser for the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.
In addition to his parents, Mitchell is preceded in death by his wife Teresa Mitchell, brother and sister-in-law James and Leslie Betts, and brother-in-law Bucky Sawyer.
He is survived by his daughter Kimberley Waite and her husband John and their children Chase M., Alexa J., and Lainey M. Waite; daughter Michelle L. Zerrad and her husband Kamal and their children Amina N., Jannah L., and Leila S. Zerrad; siblings Phillip Mitchell (Rogette Clarke), Kathy Davis (Eddie), Kenny Mitchell (Freida Ivory), Karen Sawyer and Marlyn Mobley (Michael); and many nieces and nephews.
He had a very big heart and gave to all he knew and expected nothing in return. Rodney enjoyed playing basketball with his grandson Chase, smoking a good cigar, eating crabs with family, and hiding behind the curtains to scare his granddaughters, Lainey and Alexa.
In honouring Mitchell's wishes, there will be no formal service and the family asks to simply remember him with a smile and a good deed by helping someone else. Those who wish to honour his love for horses can make a gift in his memory to Horse Lovers United, P.O. Box 2744, Salisbury, Md., 21802.
Letters of condolences can be sent via pippinfuneralhome.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Rodney Mitchell, Jr.
(with files from USTA)