In Celebration of the Life of George Wade Mitchell

July 5, 1988 – January 15, 2026 

Wade Mitchell’s life was full of adventure, action, and creativity. From a very young age, he was drawn to water. At just three years old, he would stand transfixed by the stream from a garden hose until his parents finally turned it off. That fascination never left him. Later in life, Wade was happiest in or on the water—surfing in the ocean or wake surfing on Lake Austin. Time away from the water would drain him; returning to it recharged his soul.

He was always eager to try a new summer adventure camp, especially those that challenged him physically and mentally. Two formative camps in Colorado—Kent Mountain and NOLS—offered rugged cross-country hiking and camping. Wade was an excellent hiker who loved the challenge of long, steep trails and rock climbing.

As a boy, any stack of blocks existed to be joyfully knocked down. As he got older, he delighted in a good game of paintball. Wade was the neighborhood Pied Piper, teaching his brother Cody and neighbor Matt skateboarding, taking much pride when they mastered a trick. He later introduced them, his sister Shea and other friends to wake surfing on Lake Austin.

At fourteen, Aunt Meredith gave Wade and his cousin Michael a camera during a summer camp they fondly called “Camp Mimi.” Along with the camera came an assignment: make a film. That assignment opened the door to a new creative world for both Wade and Michael.

At sixteen, they collaborated on a “short,” filmed on a remote beach in the Carolinas titled Stranded. They also teamed up on an animation, G.I. Joe Battles, which still receives daily views on YouTube.

Wade attended Austin High School, where he excelled in a special communications program during his junior and senior years. There, he produced weekly film segments for the school’s closed-circuit television show, KHAS, which aired every Tuesday morning to the entire school. Wade said that he loved getting this week’s assignment, “it was like a competition, who could come up with the best!

At nineteen, Wade and Michael embarked on a grand production, a western film titled Redemption. Over the years, this film remained one of Wade’s proudest accomplishments. Wade completed the New York Film Academy’s intensive one-year cinematography program in 2016. In 2018, he served as cinematographer for the Austin-based comedy The Stumblers, which will be shown at the Alamo Drafthouse at a future date.

Wade was also skilled with his hands. He helped his father with multiple ranch projects over the years. He especially loved the chainsaw and the sanding grinder. At the ranch, he returned to a special site over and over again, perched on a wooded ridge with an awesome view down the valley. Eventually, on that site and with a good crew, they built “Wade’s Cabin." Wade, Taylor, and later Westly spent many beautiful weekends at this cozy cabin, hiking, playing, and enjoying nature.