Clifford Eugene Mitchell's Obituary
Clifford Eugene Mitchell — known to many simply as “Gipp” — passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at the age of 76, after a difficult and courageous battle with neuro-endocrine cancer and peripheral vascular disease.
Born and raised in Iowa with six siblings, Gipp eventually traded snow for sunshine and moved his family to Florida in the 1980s after spending time in Colorado and Nebraska working as a radio DJ.
Gipp is a proud University of Florida graduate and lifelong Gator fan; he rarely missed a chance to wear orange and blue while cheering for the football and basketball teams.
Music was woven into the fabric of who he was. Whether playing with his high school band, The Myddle Classe, or performing as his one-man act, The Combo Rockers (whose webpage features more than 150 songs,) Gipp spent much of his life with a guitar in his hands and a song in his heart. He tapped his foot in the audience at countless shows featuring his biggest idols, including Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney. He loved recording music in his home studio, covering old favorites and creating songs of his own that will echo for years to come.
He paved the way for his daughter, Nickie, to follow in his footsteps where she, too, graduated from the UF College of Journalism and Communications.
Gipp spent many years teaching his son, Matt, how to master the guitar, which Matt did – graduating from Middle Tennessee State with a degree in sound engineering.
Above all else was the love story he shared with Sue - his wife, partner, best friend and constant companion through every season of life. She was by his side through it all, and together they built a life and a family over 54 years of marriage. Their relationship was one of inspiration to all who knew them.
Gipp served two, life-changing years in the Philippines in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War right after graduating high school. Much of his career was dedicated to Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked as a pharmacy buyer for three decades until retirement at the age of 70.
He carried himself throughout life with quiet strength and kindness. Gentle-mannered and subliminally funny, Gipp was an influential guy who made people feel comfortable by telling stories, sharing talents and listening to music.
After spending more than 30 years in south Florida, he and Sue moved to High Springs, Florida, in 2020 to be closer to family and enjoy the beauty of the local rivers and springs.
His happiest moments were often the simplest ones: playing games with family and friends, soaking in the hot tub, cruising the lake on the pontoon boat or enjoying a Snickers or some Oreo cookies after dinner.
More than anything, Gipp loved his family. He cherished time with Sue, Nickie and her husband, Warren, Matt and his wife, Karen, his two grandkids, Dylan and Delanie, his cat, Lucy, and his grand-dog, Luna. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories filled with warmth, humble accomplishments and quiet love.
The family has not planned a formal service at this time, though they would like to gather for a celebration of life in the future. They hope everyone who knew Gipp will think of him often — when hearing a favorite song, cheering on the Gators, sitting by the water or simply enjoying life’s quieter moments. He was a husband, dad, papa, friend, uncle, brother and son who made an impact on the lives of many.
“There are places I remember, all my life, though some have changed. Some forever, not for better. Some have gone and some remain. All these places had their moments, with lovers and friends, I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I've loved them all.” The Beatles
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