Dr. Lewellyn S. Mix

Chesapeake – Dr. Lewellyn S. Mix, age 94, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on January 21^st, 2016. He was born on Dec 22, 1921 on a dairy farm near Heuvelton, New York, the son of the late Gordon and Frances Mix.

Graduating as Valedictorian from Heuvelton HS, he went on to graduate from Cornell’s College of Agriculture (2^nd in his class), in 1946 and then from the University of Minnesota, where he received his PhD in Animal Nutrition in 1952.

Lew married Connie Avery of Boston, MA (a Cornell alum) in 1949 and together they raised 4 children in the Central New York communities of Cayuga and Cazenovia.

Over the years, Dr. Mix enjoyed a distinctive 35-year career in the Dairy Industry holding research and management positions and had a national impact in leading cooperative projects between universities, the dairy industry, the U.S. government and the farmer, to improve milk production. He was privileged to hold leadership positions at Beacon Milling Company and Agway Inc. and was known to many as “Mr. Milk” of the Northeast. He was recognized by his alma mater, national dairy publications and organizations for his many outstanding contributions.

In retirement, Dr. Mix continued his service to the dairy industry internationally as a volunteer through Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA) and International Executive Service Corps (IESC), where he traveled with his wife, Connie, to serve countries like Turkey, Thailand, Hungary and Romania, helping local cooperatives improve their dairy/livestock productivity.

Lew and Connie continued their love for travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Soviet Union, Africa and Europe (5 trips). One of their greatest joys was to share the good news of Jesus’ love and salvation plan with people everywhere they went.

Lew served his communities through volunteer efforts in ministries like Youth for Christ, International Student Outreach at Syracuse University and the Syracuse Rescue Mission. Most recently he served as an Elder and prayer warrior at Kempsville Presbyterian Church and president of Harbourway Assisted Living Council.

Preceding him in death are his parents, and brother, Maurice Mix (and wife Alice). Surviving Dr. Mix are his beloved wife of 67 years, Connie, and his sister Eloise Unbekant (Donald) of Sarasota, FL. Left to cherish his memory and legacy are his 4 children: Linda Southerland (James) of Virginia Beach; Dr. William Mix (Lucienne) of NorthEast, PA; Larry Mix (Jane) of Sycamore, IL and Lucinda Melone (Timothy) of Chesapeake, 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration-of-Life service will take place on Sunday, January 31^st at 3PM at Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. Additionally, a memorial service will be held for family, residents, and staff at 3PM on Saturday, January 30^th at HarbourWay Assisted Living, Atlantic Shores Retirement Community in Virginia Beach. Interment will be at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.

Dr. Mix and his family would like to thank the many administrators, caregivers and therapists at Harbourway, Sentara VB Hospital and Seaside for their expert and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in memory of Lew Mix to: Our Daily Bread Ministries, P.O. Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222 or online at ourdailybread.org

Remembrances may be posted to vacremationsociety.com