About Our People: Ronnie Mixon
December 13, 1944 – January 27, 2021
Born in Rome, Ronnie Shaw Mixon, Sr. often repeated the expression “All roads lead to Rome.” Always a hard worker, his first job was a bicycle newspaper delivery boy with his brother, Bobby. As a senior, he was named the “Wittiest” from West Rome High School’s graduating class of 1962.
Ronnie’s professional career began as a law clerk at Rogers, Magruder and Hoyt. His interest in banking led him to National City Bank where he started as a trainee in the loan division. He quickly rose to the position of manager of the West Rome branch and soon after was named loan officer. His leadership of the management, preparation, coordination, marketing and design of the East Rome branch became a model for future branches. Furthering his education and career, he earned his masters from the University of Virginia Graduate School of Consumer Banking. Ironically, Ronnie’s thesis explored and envisioned interstate banking, the viability of which his professor described as an impossibility.
The intersection of real estate lending and banking law spurred Ronnie to secure his real estate license. Credentials in hand, he joined Jim Covington and Adrian Howell at Prestige Properties where he specialized in commercial real estate sales. It was Ronnie’s subsequent move to Toles, Temple & Wright in 1983 that proved to be a life-changing moment. There, he found Sara Wright to be an ideal mentor and mother figure; Ben Lucas, a godly influence and big brother; and Brooke Temple, a hero and best friend. Together, the team continued to build the company for the next 37 years. Toles, Temple & Wright grew to be both family and home.
Leading the brokerage and managing the sales process as sales manager gave Ronnie immense joy. He could not wait for Monday mornings. Ronnie set the professional tone of the office with his bankers’ attire. He took delight in discovering the best “meat and 3” and barbeque restaurants within an hour’s drive for the work lunch bunch. Friday mornings always began extra early arriving at the bakery before dawn to secure donuts for the office.
Ronnie made it a priority to become an authority on Georgia real estate law. His colleagues boasted that he knew everyone in town, never forgot a phone number, and could remember who sold and bought what house for generations. Ronnie Mixon was a hometown real estate archive, in the know about what property might be for sale even when not on the market. He was knowledgeable about who got along with whom and could diffuse any unhappy buyer or seller. He was familiar with every back road from Rome to Calhoun and Cartersville to Alabama. He knew all in town shortcuts, rarely needing to stop for traffic or a red light.
Never without a warm smile and a good word, his quick sense of humor was a treat for all in his sphere. As a neighbor, his door was always open for a visit or to share some leftovers. His children’s friends basked in his sincere interest in the people they were growing into being. As a Baby Boomer and patriotic southern gentleman who loved the 1950s, Ronnie epitomized classic style and traditional values, preferring Patsy Cline, Elvis and Willie Nelson to the Beatles. Ronnie never owned a pair of blue jeans, nor did he ascribe to the notion that tennis shoes could accompany proper attire.
Ronnie was active with the Greater Rome Board of REALTORS and recognized as a Hall of Fame recipient; President; and REALTOR of the Year. He served on the board of Alco-Non, Inc. and the Star House, and the Rome Jaycees Board of Managers. He was Chairman of the Historic Preservation Committee for the Bicentennial and a member of Coosa Country Club, Nine o’Clock Cotillion and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. As a volunteer at Alco-Non, Inc. he helped countless people in their struggle against alcohol addiction, not judging them, but joking, assigning nicknames, making them feel better and giving hope. At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ronnie served as usher, greeter, and men’s breakfast cook. His quiet faith was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren.
Ronnie believed his greatest achievement was marrying the former Randa Farid, a girl he was fated to meet. A chance invitation brought Randa to Rome from the University of Georgia in Athens for a weekend visit. She was dashed away with his good looks and blonde tufts and they fell instantly in love upon meeting. During their courtship, Ronnie drove back and forth to Athens in his white Buick Skylark convertible. While they enjoyed university life on the weekends with her sister and friends, Randa was steadfastly at Ronnie’s side when professional duties called in Rome. On October 17, 1965, they eloped in secret. Together they had one daughter, Rema, and a son, Ronnie Jr.; along with five grandchildren.
Ronnie Mixon passed away in January 2021, just days after the one-year anniversary of the death of his wife. Ronnie loved Rome, Georgia. He believed in being the best at what you do and he was. As noted by a doctor friend, “We relied on Ronnie to sell Rome, and entertain and recruit top doctors. He had a pivotal role in the success of the medical community. He was a hometown real estate legend who will be missed by the entire real estate community.”