25th Reunion
NAME: Mitchell E. Sapp OCCUPATION: Contractor (U of F)
SPOUSE: Bobby Sue OCCUPATION: Staff Asst.II, City of Gainesville
ADDRESS & PHONE: 712 N.W. 95th Terr, Gainesville, FL 32607 PH: 332-2065
NAMES & AGES OF CHILDREN: Mechale, Anthony, Earnie & Allen (Twins), Beverly
EDUCATION: Santa Fe J.C. and Univ. of Fla.
JOBS HELD SINCE GRADUATION: Good Humor Man; U.P.S.; Ins. sales, trucking Co., General contractor since 1972
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR ACTIVITIES SINCE GRADUATION: Fun, marriage, baby, baby, divorce, fun; marriage, divorce; marriage, fun – fun – fun – working when I have to!
50th Reunion
Oh, I wish I had known then what I know now! When I graduated from Columbia High School, I thought I had the world by the tail. My dream was to go on to college and become a world renowned archeologist. It wasn’t long before my dream was put aside to “make a living”. If I had known then what I know now, would I have done things differently? Probably. But, if I had, would I be the person I am today, would I have the children and grandchildren whom I love and enjoy today? Probably not. So, I accept my past. I’m grateful for all the trials, challenges and blessings which have molded me into the person I am today with the life that I enjoy.
Growing up in a home with seven siblings, our Father provided for his family by working as a carpenter. Over the years I learned enough about the carpentry trades and when things were tough for me, I got my hammer and did what I knew. I eventualty became a General Contractor in 1972, building homes and commercial buildings in Gainesville and the surrounding area. From 1985 to 2002 I was working for the University of Florida which has provided constant income and supplemented my retirement in 2003!
My wife, Bobby Sue, and I live in Gainesville where we raised our children. Together, we have five children and 11 grandchildren. All of whom live in Florida, except our oldest daughter who lives in Indiana with her husband and three children.
Bobby Sue and I both enjoy traveling. She retired from the City of Gainesville and spent two weeks touring the Nile River in Egypt, in August 2004 with a girlfriend. We have been on a couple of cruises – one to Alaska and then there was the Class of 1960 Mexico Cruise! We celebrated our 25th anniversary last year with a road trip through the Shenandoah Valley and the Appalachian Mountains, a week in Washington D.C. and a week in New York City with a side trip to visit a cousin in Connecticut. We’ve made several trips to Utah, California, Washington State and Vancouver, BC. Canada to visit family and friends.
Our love for genealogy and family history has taken us to upstate New York where we researched land records and photographed cemetery headstones and family homes and homesites. We have been to countless libraries throughout the Eastern states and the southeast, and walked many cemeteries in the North Florida area looking for ancestral gravesites.
Bobby Sue would like to spend her quiet time quilting, however, those moments have been scarce. Her time is frequently interrupted by grandchildren and/or her responsibilities at church. We both participate in many church activities and travel to Orlando every Thursday where we volunteer our services in the LDS Temple.
Whenever I can find a few minutes, I love to work on my stamp collection. I find great satisfaction working with these little pieces of artwork and serving as President of our local Gainesville Stamp Club.
Almost every Tuesday morning you will find me leading a hike for the local Florida Trail Association hiking club. I love the outdoors and spend a lot of time exploring the hiking trails and photographing the wonderful Florida landscapes, flora and fauna.
Our lives are busy, but we love what we do – even if some days our hours are spent simply trying to figure out if my blood sugar levels and blood pressures are okay, and if we have had enough fiber and did I take my medications on time!
Obituary for Mitchell E. Sapp
Mitch enjoyed the outdoors. He made a living in construction and put his skills to good use creating toys for his grandchildren. He was a long time member of the Florida Trail Association and spent many hours volunteering and hiking the local trails. He even hiked a good portion of the Appalachian Trail. He was an avid stamp collector and arrow head hunter. He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor and his love for his family.
A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 10600 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 at 11am on Saturday December 31st, followed by a service at noon. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Florida Trail Association would be greatly appreciated.
I am working on my family genealogy came across your web page. My family came from Holland to Delaware they settled in parts of North and Central Florida. The family William and Lovina (James) Sapp, John and Hester Ann Anderson (Dukes) Sapp. Does any of the above names mean anything to you or your family? Thank you.
Just learned of Mr dear friends passing… Mitch and I worked for UPS in the 1960’s … I helped him tow his first car back to landover Maryland…. Did see Mitch a few years ago in Gainesville… may you rest in peace ….