Fieldale co-founder dies

UNDATED - Georgia lost one of its most prominent poultry leaders Monday with the death of Tom Arrendale Junior of Clarkesville.

The 83-year-old Arrendale - a co-founder of Fieldale Farms in Baldwin - died at Hospice of Atlanta following an extended illness.

"He's truly been a pioneer and an innovator and a leader in all phases of the poultry industry," Abit Massey said.

Massey is Executive Director of the Gainesville-base Georgia Poultry Federation.

Arrendale, his brother Lee Arrendale and Joe Hatfield founded Fieldale in 1972 and the company has grown to include several poultry processing plants and affiliated entities with more than 5,000 employees .

"He was one of the early members of the federation's poultry leaders roundtable and at one time, he and his brother were the world's largest Purina feed dealers," Massey said.

Funeral services for Tom Arrendale Senior of Clarkesville are pending and will be announced by McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia.