My Dr. Richard Gingles, DVM
By Mac Gingles
The earliest memories of my childhood are of observing my father, Dr. Richard B. Gingles D.V.M., practice veterinary medicine. These are also some of the fondest memories I have. I got my early-childhood development hanging around Gingles Animal Clinic and tagging along on large animal calls throughout the South Mississippi countryside. I was a very fortunate child to have a dad like mine. I was always going new places, meeting new people and learning something new about animals. I remember being amazed that he could know so much about so many different animals and still know the way to drive home. Dad graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, Alabama in 1960. He then went to Auburn University where he studied Agriculture and graduated in 1964. Upon graduating and completion of the ROTC program at Auburn, he went directly in the army at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the army from 1964 to 1966. During this time he married my mother, Grace Wallace in 1965. Dad was a 1st Lieutenant, stationed at Ft. Hood, TX when he was discharged in 1966. He then enrolled in Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated in 1969 very much a Texas Aggie. While he was in vet school, he and my mother had their first child, Beverly in 1968 and second child Mary in 1969. Shortly after, my sister Cindy was born in 1970 and then in 1974 I came along, the last child and the only boy. After graduating, he and my mother and two sisters moved to Long Beach, Mississippi only two days before Hurricane Camille. They found a house with a few acres of land on the edge of town. Dad felt this was a good location to start his veterinary practice. After 41 years of helping animals and their owners, he must have been right. At the time there were no other veterinarians in Long Beach. His first clinic was a small out-building next to the house. He used this 12’x12’ shed for a few years until he built the clinic he practices in today. Gingles Animal Clinic has always been a “mixed practice,” treating large and small animals. In the early years of his practice it was about 50 percent small animal and about 50 percent large animal. Over the years, as the community continued to grow, more vets moved to the area, gradually shifting Gingles Animal Clinic to about 90 percent small animal and about 10 percent large animal. Throughout the years Dad has had numerous high school and college students work with him in his clinic. Those students wanted to get some “hands on” experience. Five of those students were in or went on to vet school. They are spread out across the
Dr. Gingles has treated many pets and helped many pet owners in his 41 years of practice.
country now, but they stay in touch. Dad has been a member of both the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) and the Mississippi Veterinary Association (MVMA) since 1969. He regularly attends conventions held by both organizations for continuing education. He and my mother have traveled as far as Hawaii to attend such conventions. Aside from veterinary medicine, Dad has always been an active member of Long Beach First United Methodist Church. He was chairman of the Building Committee to build a new sanctuary that was completed in 1987. He has also been chairman of the Finance Committee, on the Administrative Board and on the board of Trustees. Dad has always raised cattle and horses. Much of my youth was spent on horseback, which he encouraged. He hauled me and my horse, Taxi, around to horse shows for years. At these horse shows circumstances often arose that required veterinary attention. He currently raises registered Red Brangus cattle. He and my mother are members of the American Red Brangus Association. He served on the Board of Directors from 2002-2009 and is Vice President of the Sunbelt conference. He also served on the Board of directors of the Southeast Mississippi Livestock Association from 2003 through 2010. Dad loves to fish. We make a point to go fishing whenever I visit him. Living in Birmingham, Alabama, I don’t get down to visit my dad as much as I would like. He sends me pictures of big “specs” and “reds” that he has recently caught. Dad also likes to work in his garden in the mornings before going to the clinic. He always grows a big garden. He gives fresh vegetables to friends and family. He has saved okra and corn seeds every year for decades. He has shared some of the seeds with me, but I can’t seem to make them grow like he does… I think it must be something in the dirt. Now, I know what you’re thinking, it’s time for a veterinarian to retire that’s been in the business this long, but no! He has just remodeled his clinic of 41 years. The clinic has a new surgery room, treatment room, a new office and more renovations are planned for the future. My dad is definitely not retiring anytime soon. The clinic has just begun to look and function the way he has envisioned. He will be able to split time doing his vet work with associate C. Thomas Favre D.V.M., tending to his horses and cows, and maybe some time do a little fishing on the side.
Gingles Animal Clinic is located in Long Beach, Mississippi at 18469 28th Street. Their phone number is 228-863-8490. INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE October 2010
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