Robert David Mitcham Sr., 79, of Tiger, Georgia passed away at home on June 7, 2023.

Robert Sr. was born on November 10, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida to Robert Nolan Mitcham and Davie Price. After Robert graduated from Manchester High School in 1961 he went on to study Agriculture at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia to earn a B.S. of Agriculture and Education.

After graduating, he began work at Georgia Crop Improvement in Athens, Georgia and went on to hold positions as ASCS County Office Manager in Elberton, Georgia; Shift Supervisor at Burlington Ind; and Maintenance at Georgia Pacific. Eventually, Robert taught in the Rabun County Vocational Agriculture Program teaching Welding & Ag. Mechanics.

Robert grew up on farm in Durand, Georgia hunting and fishing and loved to be outside. In 1964, Robert met Patsy at Tiger, Georgia on blind double date with her cousin Lucy. Robert & Patsy went on to have three children, Robert Jr. Karen, & Kiley and raise their family in Rabun County, Georgia. Robert loved to travel and spend time with his family and celebrated this fishing in Alaska and taking his family on cross country trips in the RV. He and Patsy worked to travel to as many states as they could taking their children & grandchildren along as much possible.

In 1983, Robert & Patsy began Hillside Orchard Farms with a small jelly kitchen. Beginning with 10 products, they grew the business together to deliver products across the United States and internationally. The business continues across three generations.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents Nolan & Davie Mitcham, sister Miriam Barnes, and grandchildren David Manuel and Serafin Jefferson Mitcham. He is survived by his wife Patsy Mitcham; children Robert Mitcham Jr., Karen Mitcham, & Kiley Houston (Michael), Dalton Mitcham; and their grandchildren Christina Rogers (James), Jennifer Gantt (William), R.J. Mitcham, Lauren & Nolan Houston; and great grandchild Davie Gantt.

The family is receiving friends on Friday June 9, 2023 at Beck Funeral Home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The service will be held on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Beck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charlie Green and Rev. Zack Martin officiating.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the FFA Alumni Association at P.O. Box 94, Tiger, Georgia, 30576 or the Rabun County Band Boosters at 230 Wildcat Hill Dr. Tiger, Georgia.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is honored to serve the family of Robert David Mitcham. Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.