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IGRA Mourns the Passing of longtime member Mitch Gill
It is with a heavy heart that I must let you know that Mitch Gill passed away the evening of Wednesday, January 9, 2012.
Mitch, also known as DeShannon Christi Jewel, was a longtime member of IGRA and served in a vast number of capacities, including Miss IGRA (1995 and 1999), Vice President (2004-2007), Official, Trustee, and on various committees.
Kole Hillman, FGRA President, says “Mitch was ‘mama’ to just about everyone he met. He raised tens of thousands of dollars for people in need. He could keep you in stitches for hours, one of the funniest quick witted men I have ever met.”
Please keep him in your thoughts and payers. Celebrate him and his commitment to rodeo, royalty and each other. Push forward as we know he would want us to do. Yet remember him for all he brought to each of us.
Memorial Service:
Monday January 14, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
Aulds Funeral Home
7849 E. Kings Hwy
Shreveport, La 71115
Mitch’s legacy will live on for ages, in the hearts and souls of all the people who have had the pleasure of working with him, and the charities that benefited from all his work throughout the years. He will be sorely missed and remembered fondly.
Ed Barry
IGRA President
17 Responses to IGRA Mourns the Passing of longtime member Mitch Gill
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I am so saddened by Mitch’s passing. He was a good person and well loved. May he rest in peace.
Kiki Monroe
Empress 31, ICRME-Denver
Mitch’s life commitment to his family, friends, community and the sport of Gay Rodeo were unparalleled. He was an amazing mentor, brother and friend. We grieve the loss of a good man who accomplished great things.
Michael Vrooman / Harley Quinn
Mr IGRA 1996 & Miss IGRA 2000
I am honored to have known Mitch since 2005. Mamma, as he was known to nearly everyone in the circuit, made a huge impact on many communities and charities. His dedication to the rodeo, charities, friends, and family is something to be admired. He was truly a selfless person. He always encouraged me and ALL royalty members and was a guiding beacon for us all. He will be missed by so many people. May he rest in peace!
Kevin Lynn
Mr. MGRA 2009
I am honored as well to have shared time with Mitch in the past 20 years….RIP my friend.
Adrienne Alexander
Miss AGRA 1995
It was and honor and a privilege to have know Mitch, Empress DeShannon for the pass 10 years, sharing community service and giving back to our community takes a special special person and Mitch gave back 110%. Mitch has a role model to many of us and was an amazing mentor. This is huge lost of our Las Vegas community and we are very sadden, but also enlighten knowing Mitch is in a better place amongst the angels. On behalf of the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, inc and the board of directors, to Mitch’s family and friends me are sorry for your lost, please know that Mitch will truly be missed and may he rest in peace.
In Pride
Ernie”Pineapple” Yuen
Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc
President
It was such an HONOR to have known Mitch aka DeShannon for the last 15 years. He was one of a kind and he was such a giving and generous person. He will be missed and may he rest in peace.
Chris Bouvia
Emperor 14 IRSCDEI- Las Vegas,Nv
Oh Mitch how will I ever know how to dress again at a Rodeo!!!!!!! Who will teach all those future timers and FLAG waive offers to get it right the first time and no re rides…and all of those future drag queens…no drag mommy no more.. – How will we survive… By you shining down on us and always giving us the SUNNY days that you provided in our lives …. bye for now but see you soon again… real soon God Bless brother…
My dear Mitch I am so happy to have been able to know you and spend the time that we did together, the coronations and the rodeos all were allot of fun. You were a mentor to many a friend to many more and oh how you will be missed. Carry on upstairs and watch over the rest of us.
Emperor 28 IRLM, San Jose
FGRA Rodeo roundtable member
I consider myself fortunate to have known Mitch/DeShannon and to have served as his VP for the last year…I will always cherish the memories we created over the last 5 years. I will miss you Mama!
IAGRA Vice President
Miss MGRA 2010
Miss IGRA 2nd RU 2011
You will truly be missed, you are true inspiration to many of us. I loved everything about you, your smile, your heart and above all our friendship.
Love Ya,
Frank
I was very sadden when I learned of the passing of one of my mentors and friends. Mitch was a person of love and warmth that knew no limits for the life of our country western life. He was a Friend who I could call on no matter what even if it was to vent.
His mission to let everyone know what is rodeo is about will live on in me and the men and woman that he knew. For that WE are ALL blessed!
Momma may you find that cowboy and peace as you watch over us. We Love you.
Rebecca Tucker
Miss CGRA 2005/2010
Miss IGRA 1st Runner-up 2006/2011
Dear Mitch,
I will truly miss you. You’ve been a wonderful friend and mentor to/influence on many of us. I cherish the friendship we’ve shared over the past 20+ years. Thanks for being you. Thanks for all you have done for all of us. You are truly a shining star and a great loss to our community. The world is a better place because you were here.
Mark Larson
Mr. IGRA 2002
NSGRA
Mitch was not only a true friend to me but I was lucky to have him as my partner for almost 2 yrs.. In that time he was a true gentleman, classy entertainer and a sassy emcee. He always had a comeback to something that was said. And quick wit he was known for. He got to fullfill a dream of his this past year when he opened up his very own flower/antique shop. Although he only was able to have it for a short time before his health deteriated, he crossed that off his bucket list. His next dream was to ride a horse in the rodeo. He didn’t care what event, but he wanted to ride. He had been practicing and was looking forward to perhaps this year. Even after he fell off once, scared me to death, but he got back up on and still rode, just like a real cowboy would. Even though he didn’t ride in a rodeo, he is a COWBOY TO ME. Ride across those prairies in heaven with Ty and all your other friends. I’ll look forward to meeting you again…..
Mike Tinkle
IAGRA Treasurer 2013
Iowa Gay Rodeo Association
I always saw Mitch as a great person to have as a friend ,He always looked like He enjoyed life everyday. I am very honor to have know him. waS very suprised and sadden of his passing, will miss seeing him at a RODEO. GSGRA
Mitch, my friend, you will be missed! You were a great friend, teacher, mentor to many. You offered advise, help and love. You wit, charm and grace will be greatly missed. I hope you find peace my friend.
Cris Yturri
Past president
HSRA
Wow. De/Mitch, you were one of the first folks out of IGRA I got to meet at our seating in Little Rock 18 years ago. My most iconic memory of you was when you were pitching at convention in SLC for Las Vegas. You had done your presentation, and was sitting in the back of the hall, in full “showgirl” regalia. The thing that struck me, was looking over at you, and you had this regal, almost beatific look on your face, head up, square and “commanding the room”. And I thought, “WOW”. I will miss you greatly. That from one of the, nickname you gave MIGRA after our shirts, “Lemondrop Kids”. Rest well cowboy.
Happy Mothers Day.
Baron 1
Emperor 1
Co-Founder of the IRSCDE, Inc. (Las Vegas Court)
Co-Founder of the House of Jewel
Mark Jensen-Jewel