Franklin James Mikell Jr age 79 of Melrose

Mr. Franklin “Frank” James Mikell Jr., age 79 of Melrose passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Oak Hammock in Gainesville. He was born on December 16,1946, in Jacksonville, to the late Franklin and Joyce (Godwin) Mikell.

As a child he enjoyed riding his horse, Gypsy, playing softball, hunting and fishing. He attended Cedar Creek Baptist Church with his parents and was baptized at 10 years old. Frank graduated from Paxon high school in 1964. On August 26, 1966 he married his high school sweetheart Marie Silas. It would be years later at the same church that Frank and Marie first heard a missionary speak and felt called to full time service. At 21, he went to work as a fireman for the Jacksonville Fire Department and within a year he was certified as one of the first “paramedics” in the state of Florida. He continued to work at the Fire Department for 9 ½ years. On October 3, 1975 he attained his bachelors degree in nursing.

In 1975 Frank and the family moved to Keystone Heights and he worked at UF Shands in Gainesville. He was the supervisor over the dialysis unit. Frank and his family began attending Friendship Bible Church. During their time in Keystone they built and ran a FRM feed store with his parents just north of town past Gasline Road.

Frank and Marie saw and heard reports from many missionaries and after much prayer and answers from the Bible, in 1980, God called Frank and Marie to Toccoa Falls College. They graduated in 1983. From there, they traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica to attend language school and on August 4, 1984 they landed in Quito, Ecuador where they would spend 17 years ministering in various positions. Frank worked as a RN in the Hospital Vozandes in Quito, went on rural caravans and was also the Director of Community Development as well as eventually the Field Director for the mission HCJB.

In 2000 Frank and Marie moved back to Lake Wales, Florida, continuing ministering with HCJB and also working with PALM ministries along with their friends Art and Barbara Patray. They eventually moved back to the Keystone Heights area continuing work in the medical field including at HAVEN Hospice, North Florida Rehab (risk care manager) in Gainesville and Windsor Manor in Starke.

Frank was a long time member of Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights and recently served as a Deacon. He enjoyed woodworking and working on church and community projects, especially projects that helped others in need, including widows. He spent many hours volunteering and working at Trinity Baptist Church where he worked as the groundskeeper for several years. He lived a life filled with service, love, and dedication to his family and community. He will be deeply missed by his family, church family, and community.

Frank is survived by his lovely wife, Marie Mikell, of nearly 60 years. Together they raised two children, Jamee Mikell of Jacksonville, Florida and Jodi (David) Geiger of Hawthorne, Florida. He was a proud “Grandaddy” to Ryan Miller (Sophia), Emma Crawford (Matthew), Ella Kestner (Brandon), Josie Huntley (Taylor), Sam Mikell and an amazing great-grandfather to Makenna Miller, Maciah Miller, Tobias Miller, and another Miller baby due in September, Susie Crawford, Raleigh Crawford, Presley Kestner and Wesley Kestner. He was loved by his family and a true pillar of strength for his family and community. His legacy of kindness, a desire to help others and serving God will live on for generations.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to PALM Missionary Ministries at palmministries.com or to the Trinity Baptist Church Benevolence Fund. www.trinitybaptistchurchbc.org Memorial services will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 3716 State Rd 21, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 at 11:00am on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with Pastor Brandon Denmark, Pastor Scott Stanland and Pastor James Peoples officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. WALKER DRIVE, KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com