THOMASVILLE — Ralph Willard Cassels passed away Monday, May 7, 2012, at his home near Cairo, Georgia.  A Celebration of Ralph's life is planned for 2:00 to 5:00 PM, Saturday, May 12th, at the home of Scott and Brenda Cassels, 1811 Midway Road, Cairo. Ralph Willard Cassels, 82, beloved husband and father, was born in Grady County Georgia, on July 12, 1929, to Roy and Lena Edmonds Cassels. He graduated from Cairo High School and attended Abraham Baldwin College, Tifton, on the Moultrie, Georgia campus. Ralph was employed with the Georgia Forestry Commission as a Grady County ranger for four years and employed with the St. Joe Paper Company in Tallahassee for 39-1/2 years; rising, as he said, from “wood tick” to area manager. He was a member of the Cairo First Methodist Church and the Burleigh Law Sunday School Class.  Ralph was married to Joan Ouzts Cassels. He still referred to her as “his bride” after 58 years. He loved his family and land; not necessarily in that order! He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf, but said he was allergic to triple bogeys. He had a great wit and was very astute in financial affairs. His field was forestry and he loved the land; said he only wanted all the land adjoining the first farm he and Jo bought! Ralph Cassels is survived by his wife, Joan; his children, Laura Ann Cassels, Scott Alan Cassels and Brenda, Carol Jane Cassels Spivey and Maurice; five grandchildren, Jason Cassels and Heather, Keri Cassels, Aislinn Cassels-Hyde, Casey Connell and Zane, and Abby May; two great grandsons, Sean Archer Cassels-Hyde and Alex Scott Cassels. He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Cassels Shaw and Keith of Tallahassee, Florida, and Agnes Cassels Hillis of Millen, Georgia and numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Lena (Edmonds) Cassels, his brother-in-law, William Wycliffe Hillis, Jr. and his nephew, Bill Hillis. On-line condolences may be sent at www.Coxfuneral.net. — Cox Funeral  Home