Jeffrey Clark Mitchell
Jeffrey Clark Mitchell, ‘Jeff’, age 62, passed away at home in Albuquerque on August 7, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. As the Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of New Mexico, Jeff made significant contributions to countless communities in the state through economic research projects that enabled businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments, and the state legislature to make better decisions based on understanding and analyzing economic trends that shape the state. His work included research on the importance of Arts & Culture industries in the state; more than two dozen reports to the New Mexico MainStreet program; the economic effects of a compulsory paid sick leave ordinance; the positive impact of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos on the state economy; the impact of uranium clean up; regular economic updates and forecasts; and much more.
Originally from Waterford, CT, Jeff was a brilliant, independent thinker and received a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct research in Venezuela. He attended and graduated from University of Pennsylvania before going on to earn a PhD at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Jeff’s passion for life extended beyond his career and began in his early years with several hitchhiking trips across the U.S., Mexico and South America. His love for travel and curiosity about the world continued throughout his life with visits to
Egypt, India and Europe. He continued to bike, hike and camp throughout the Southwest and New Mexico, including regular weekend hikes with his wife and dog on his favorite trails in the Sandia Mountains. Family, friends and colleagues will also remember him as a deeply caring, authentic and compassionate human being with a sharp wit, an admirable social conscience and the willingness to have a chat over a beer.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife Mae Lee Sun, his mother Marilyn of Richmond, VA and his brothers Donald B. Jr. (Andrea) of Arlington, VA and Michael I. (Denise) of Richmond, VA; nephew Donald III; niece Adrienne (Danny) and grand niece, Alanna and many good friends and colleagues; he is predeceased by his father Donald B. and brother Mark T.
We love you unconditionally Jeff and there would never have been enough time on earth to spend with you.
Private memorial services will be held by the family. To celebrate how Jeff lived, donations in his memory can be sent to:
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Patient Care Fund – noting in memory of Jeffrey C. Mitchell https://www.unmfund. org/fund/unmcc-patient-care-fund/
Arbor Day Foundation ‘Trees in Memory” program to help restore forests – noting in memory of Jeffrey C. Mitchell https://shop.arborday. org/trees-in-memory