Snellville Honors Dr. Ronald Ito with Proclamation

For 15 years, Ronald Ito committed to caring for Snellville-area residents, and on June 29, the beloved physician lost his life.

As a tribute to his life and service, the city of Snellville honored him and his family with a proclamation during the August 8 city council meeting.

Ito's wife, Mary, and their four children -- Jasmine, Stephen, Blake and Lily -- were there to accept the proclamation, and Mary Ito thanked the city for the gesture. Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer read the proclamation into record, and in it he highlighted how much Ito loved his children, as "a devoted, kind and fun-loving father."

The proclamation also read, in part:

"Dr. Ito is best-known for his kindness, being a good listener and spending time with this patients. He always made time to listen and hear what patients had to say and never made them feel rushed. Dr. Ito provided support for all his patients whenever needed and was always there in difficult times."

According to an obituary, Ito was a graduate of Columbus High School in Columbus, Ga., and of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. He was a board certified family practitioner with Greater Gwinnett Internal Medicine Associates, which is located on Tree Lane in Snellville.

Ito was also a member of Cannon United Methodist Church, where his funeral was held on July 9. Not only was he a volunteer at the church, but he was also a Tae Kwon Do instructor and helped with local Boy Scouts.

According to an obituary, an educational fund has been established for Ito's four children. Deposits may be made at any SunTrust Bank, Account# 1000141099704, or mailed to the branch manager at SunTrust Bank, 2440 Wisteria Drive, Snellville, GA 30078, payable to M. Ito.