Robert “Bob” Allen Mikell, 56, of Ray City, Georgia died on June 22nd, 2020 at SGMC in Valdosta.

Robert “Bob” Mikell was born on Nov. 23, 1963, in Prentiss, son of Earl and Mildred (Stapleton).

Bob graduated from Prentiss High School in 1981. That summer, Bob joined the Air Force in August of 1981 and served for the United States of America both at home and overseas in Ramstien (Germany) and Lakenheath (England).

The military gave Bob many opportunities as he followed the A-10 Warthogs. His favorite moment during his military service was meeting the love of his life, Bridget, through a fellow service member, David, who later became his brother.

The night Bob proposed to Bridget, he kept asking her about different dates. Bridget thought Bob was asking about going out on another date, but Bob then said “Now that we set the date, will you marry me?”. On Feb. 16, 1985, Bob and Bridget were married in San Antonio, Texas.

In the following years their family blossomed with three children moving from San Antonio, Texas overseas to Ipswitch, England to Alexandria, Louisiana to Springlake, North Carolina and finally to Ray City, Georgia.

Upon arriving in Ray City, Georgia Bob quickly joined the Ray City Volunteer Fire Department.

Shortly after, Bob was elected to City Council for fire and police and then later elected to roads and water.

Bob served as Ray City Superintendent. In addition to serving Ray City, he served Berrien County starting as a dispatcher for 911 and worked his way up to Assistant Deputy Director of the Emergency Management Agency.

Bob served as the Fire Chief for Ray City for 23 years.

He loved leading the Volunteer Fire Department and was so proud of his fire fighters and their tireless work to serve and protect the citizens of Ray City, Georgia.

Bob was a Christian and he, along with Bridget, raised their children in a Christian home.

Bob was a member of Ray City United Methodist Church for over 20 years and the President of the Methodist Men.

Bob enjoyed the simple things in life; a good cup of coffee, nuanced details of A-10 Warthogs, mowing the grass, anything with John Wayne, yelling “Bow to the Hog”, and a quick-witted yet heartfelt response.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Bob knew he loved four things above all else; his God, his wife Bridget, his children, and his grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Mikell, his step-mother, Charlette Smith and his brother, Randy Mikell.

Those left behind to relish Bob’s memories and carry on his legacy of a warm home, quick joke, and good cup of coffee are his loving wife Bridget Mikell of Ray City, Georgia; children Lucretia Griffin of Ray City, Georgia, Rebecca Mikell of York, Pennsylvania and Ross Mikell of Lincoln, Nebraska; seven grandchildren Dakota Griffin of Nashville, Georgia, Austin Griffin of Ray City, Georgia, Abigayle Oliver of Valdosta, Georgia, Mikella Griffin of Vinton, Virginia, Andrew Mikell-Folsom of Phoenix, Arizona, Braelyn Griffin of Vinton, Virginia, and Aaron Griffin of Vinton, Virginia; his father Earl Mikell of Prentiss; two sisters Susie Mikell and Helen Robbins of Prentiss; three brothers: Gerald (Tammy) Westmoreland of Petal, Robert Westmoreland of Prentiss and Wayne (Sandra) Westmoreland of Brandon; mother-in-law: Carolyn Gilbert of Ray City, Georgia; two brothers-in-law: David Gilbert of Ray City and Charles Gilbert of Ray City, Georgia.

The family honored his request for cremation and a memorial service was held Sunday, June 28, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. in  the First Baptist Church of Ray City Outreach Center. Rev. Don Bridges officiated. Donations can be made to The Mikell Family Trust Fund through the Ray City Volunteer Fire Department.