Dr. Ralph Kickliter, 82, of Tifton passed away Thursday, February 3, 2005, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2005, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Dr. W. Ches Smith officiating. Dr. Kickliter was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Dr. Kickliter, who loved music, had requested that Dr. Susan Roe present a "mini-concert" of some of his favorite selections.
Born September 19, 1922, in Toombs County, Dr. Kickliter was the of the late Andrew Rufus Kickliter and Kate Pye Kickliter. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, A.R. Kickliter and Earl Kickliter.
Dr. Kickliter was a professor of Humanities and the accompanist for the Glee Club at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 1948 until 1968. Dr. Kickliter, who served as Chairman of the Division of Humanities, understood the need for ABAC students to speak, write and read in a manner that would keep them in good stead as they pursued their educational and career goals., He was instrumental in directing a college English program that would provide such a learning environment.
In 1968, Dr. Kickliter moved to Milledgeville where he was a Professor of Humanities at Georgia College until he retired from the University System of Georgia in 1964.
Dr. Kickliter is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Sumerford Kickliter of Tifton; one son, Hal Kickliter of Atlanta; one daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Kirk Wiles of Albany; two grandsons, Patrick Wiles of Huntsville, Alabama and Phillip Wiles of Birmingham, Alabama; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Billie Kickliter of Mobile, Alala and Ben and Mary Ann Kickliter of Pensacola, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, 618 Central Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794; or the Dr. Ralph Kickliter Sunday School Class at Tifton's First Baptist Church, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794.