Joseph "Joe – Coach Mitchell" Lee Mitchell, 85, Boca Raton, FL passed away at Hospice by the Sea Boca Raton, Tuesday September 16th, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born January 27, 1940, in Memphis, TN.  Joe joined the US Navy directly after his high school graduation and served our country on submarines and the USS Independence Aircraft Carrier. He graduated with a degree in Zoology and taught Elementary school at Berkshire Elementary followed by teaching Biology at John I Leonard High School until his retirement.  He served as the Junior Varsity Football Coach and Girls Varsity Softball Coach for many years.  He was honored as Coach of the Year in 1984 for the girls' softball team. Joe's love for family and adventure drew him back to Tennessee before he eventually settled by Lake Istokpoga, where he embraced his passion for bass fishing. He was known as the teacher and coach that kids could talk to at any time and frequently was a father figure to many in need. Our father was the most generous person "to a fault" that we have ever known. He literally would give his last penny and the shirt off his back to someone in need. His best friend, Steve King, said it best at his 75th birthday celebration… "Joe is like a cactus, prickly on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside." Joe also was a lover of nature and the environment and instilled this love into his family and students.
He is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Renee Ambach (Mark) and Joel Beth Navratik (Rene); his grandchildren, Blake Ambach and Pearl Navratik; his brother, David Mitchell (Rosie); and his sister, Marylyn Caperton (James); his nieces and nephews David Mitchell (Meleah), Melanie Lemon, and James Caperton (Sarah).
A Burial Service in memory of Joe will be held on Friday, October 3rd at 10:00 am with military honors at the South Florida Veterans Cemetery located at 6501 SR-7 S, Lake Worth, FL. Followed by a reception at the residence of Mark and Kathy Ambach, 740 Hibiscus Street, Boca Raton, FL. Donations may be made in memory of Joseph Mitchell to St. Jude's Children's Hospital www.stjude.org or the ASPCA www.ASPCA.org .

Professional arrangements are entrusted to:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

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