BROWNSVILLE, Texas - How can a person describe the life of a fellow human being who touched the lives of so many people?
Just ask any of the hundreds who turned out to “Celebrating the Life of R.J. Mitte.”
The movie star, community leader, philanthropist and disability rights activist, died Oct. 12 in Brownsville where he had been living for the last eight years. His life was celebrated on Friday, Oct. 16.
Those who knew him described Mitte as kind, benevolent, gracious, always smiling, a hugger and a loving person.
As a person with cerebral palsy, he was an advocate for the rights of people affected by neurological conditions.
While in Brownsville, Mitte served as president of the Roy J. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation. He was also a member of the Mitte Cultural District and helped a number of organizations including the Brownsville Film Society and the CineSol Festival.
His grandmother, Anita Dianne Dearborn, spoke about his life growing up with cerebral palsy. But, she said, he kept his posture as he got older.
She read a “Better to light a candle, than curse the darkness,” passage from Mathew 5:16 that reads. “Let your fight to shine before men, that may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”
“That is what RJ was about,” she said.
Roy De Los Santos, executive director of the Mitte Foundation, said Mitte’s impact in Brownsville can be seen all over.
He said he held one of his hands the day after his death and told him his work here will continue for years to come.
“This is not the end of a story,” De Los Santos said. “This is the end of a chapter.”
Among the hundreds of people who joined in the celebration were Henry Serrato, Eddie Castillo and Cindy Rios.
The three came from McAllen to pay respect to the movie star who took part in with CineSol.
Mitte made it to the annual events, in 2019 and in 2022.
“He was always smiling and hugging people,” said Serrato, who is festival director. “He was an enjoyable person to be around.”
Mitte starred in a number of movies and television series, including Breaking Bad, Switched at Birth, The Guardians of Justice, Who is Driving Doug, The Oak Room and Triumph.
He was born in Jackson, Miss., and died at the age of 34.
