Dr. Ralph Wyeth Mitchell

He graduated from Lost Springs High School, Lost Springs, Kansas in 1947. He received a BS degree in Biology from Kansas University in 1952. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University in 1960, and Masters in Bacteriology, Kansas State University, 1960.

Ralph was a member of the Artic Aero Medical Laboratory in Fairbanks, Alaska with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was President and member of the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association; and President and member of Toastmasters International. He was a California State Representative and Chairman of the National Poultry Improvement Board; a member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists; a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association; and President and member of the Southeastern Poultry Association. He was part of the team that started the Sacramento Small Animal Emergency Clinics.

As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Griffin, he served as an elder and was involved in many areas of the church.

He was President and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Spalding County and a Board member of Habitat for Humanity along with helping with the Salvation Army and the Soup Kitchen of Griffin.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lynn Knight Mitchell and their four children; daughter and son-in-law Lee Ann and Dale Carley of Griffin; daughter and son-in-law Laurie and John White of San Antonio, Texas; son and daughter-in-law David and Donna Mitchell of Dacula, GA; son and daughter-in-law Jim and Tricia Mitchell of Peachtree City, GA. He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brian and Hannah Carley, Mary Ann and Bailey Quintrell, Hannah Carley; Clayton, Matthew, David and Molly White, Hans and Amy White; Holly Tracy and Maggie Mitchell; MacKenzie, Emery, Riley and Nathan Mitchell; and great grandchildren John and Remy White, Reagan and Miriam Carley.

Ralph believed that there is good in all things. He loved the adventure of travel, the beauty in gardening and the accomplishment of creating and building something from wood. He enjoyed inspiring his grandchildren with stories that he wrote and always believed a 20 minute nap is one of life’s greatest treasures. Ralph was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to thank Dr. Napier and Dr. Hall and the wonderful and caring staff at Brightmoor Hospice.

A graveside service will be conducted in Herington, Kansas on May 3, 2014 at the Mitchell Valley Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 9, 2014 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church, Griffin, GA. A reception at the church will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, online at www.act.alz.org/tribute or by check to: Alzheimer’s Association Georgia, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.