ELKHART -- James Reynard Mitchell Sr., 64, of Elkhart, died at 7:45 p.m. Monday (Feb. 2, 2009) in his home.

He was born Dec. 10, 1944, in San Francisco to Sebastian and Doris (Taylor) Mitchell. On Aug. 16, 1964, he married Audrey T. Daggs in San Francisco.

She survives along with three sons, James R. Mitchell II of San Rafael, Calif., Aaron (Chantel) Mitchell of Antioch, Calif., and Steven M. (Sara) Mitchell of Elkhart; one daughter, Vanessa J. Mitchell of Valdosta, Ga.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his mother of San Francisco; two brothers, Larry and Donald Mitchell, both of San Francisco; and two sisters, Theresa (Walter) Bell of Brentwood, Calif., and Kathy (Edward) Grace of San Francisco.

Mr. Mitchell was a computer supervisor at Union Oil Co. in California and ran his own janitorial business. He was the first black owner of a tropical fish store in the Bay area, specializing in fresh and saltwater species.

He was an installer at E-Z Water Sprinkler System, Elkhart, and worked as a material handler for a steel company on Mishawaka Road. A 1963 graduate of Balboa High School, San Francisco, Mr. Mitchell was a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth.

He attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and enjoyed fishing and watching "Law & Order."

A private family visitation took place prior to cremation. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, assisted the family with arrangements.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.