August 24, 1990 – August 23, 2023
Jeffrey Andrew Mitzel died unexpectedly on August 23rd in Tempe, AZ. He was 1 day shy of his 33rd birthday. A Celebration of Life service for Jeffrey will be held Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Gig Harbor Yacht Club, located at 8209 Stinson Ave., Gig Harbor WA 98332.
Jeff was born-and-raised in Kent where he excelled as an athlete playing both club soccer and baseball from the ages of 5-18. Baseball was his primary passion and after graduating from Kentwood High School in 2008, Jeff would attend Green River Community College and Pierce College where he studied business and played junior college baseball.
Jeff will be best remembered for his adventurous spirit, his love of snowboarding, cliff jumping at Banks Lake, collecting baseball memorabilia, and his passion for his two favorite teams – the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks.
In 2013 Jeffrey was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that he battled for the next two years – fighting through 3 major surgeries, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and countless follow-up appointments with doctors at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Throughout his battle with cancer, Jeff never once complained; he knew that he was luckier than most other patients he saw during treatments. In 2018 he received his “all clear” and was cancer free.
In the fall of 2018 Jeff moved to Arizona for a job opportunity and warm weather. Sadly, his battle with cancer left emotional and painful physical scars which ignited his off and on battle with drugs. A battle that would continue until his death.
Jeffrey leaves behind his heartbroken parents, Bob & Debbie Mitzel (Auburn, WA), brothers Justin Mitzel (Austin, TX), Tyler (Tiffani, Robbie & Maddie) Mitzel (Springtown, TX) and sister Emily Mitzel of Tacoma, WA. He also leaves behind grandparents Jerry & Shirley Downer (Gig Harbor, WA), Alfred & Jeanette Mitzel (Yelm, WA) and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
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