Jesse Rush Milam, Jr.

Milam, Jesse Jesse Rush Milam, Jr., went to be with the Lord and his precious wife Pattie Sue Tuesday, July 5, 2005. A memorial service will be Friday, July 8 at 11:00 AM at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Robbins and Rev. Sue Milam officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, July 7 from 5 to 7:00 PM at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque. Mr. Milam was born July 11, 1918 at 1401 Austin Avenue to Jesse Rush and Mary Lawson Cameron Milam. His grandparents were Daniel Lawson and Jessie Humphrey Cameron and Benjamin Rush and Elizabeth McKinney Milam. Mr. Milam graduated from Waco High School in May 1934. He attended Baylor University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939. He was drafted November 19, 1940 in to the United States army. He earned a Bronze Star, served in five battles in Europe with the Third Army under General Patton and was discharged November 1945 as a first lieutenant from the 748th Tank Battalion. Upon his return to Waco, he was vice president and president of the Cooper Company and president of the J. R. Milam Co., Milam Realty and the Ben Milam Stores. On May 11, 1946, Mr. Milam married the former Pattie Sue Clement of Waco. He was a CPCU and owner of Milam Insurance Agency and Carroll Cruises and Tours. He worked 17 years with Insurors of Texas. Mr. Milam served his community in many capacities including president of the Waco YMCA, local chairman of the American Red Cross and president of the Baylor Waco Foundation. He was a charter member of Ridgewood Country Club and served as vice president with Pat Taggart. He was president of Hedonia Club, commodore of the Ridgewood Yacht Club and president of First Capital Corporation. He served as a volunteer at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for over 20 years and was a member of the board of Powell Industries for over 30 years. He was also a 65 year member of the J. H. Gurley Lodge Number 3370, A.F. & A.M. Mr. Milam was president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Knight Commander of the Knights of San Jacinto and King of the Waco Cotton Palace. He served as Sunday school teacher at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church for many years, contributed to the carillion restoration and endowed the Mary Cameron Milam Garden. And finally, courtesy of his precious friend, Col. Lawson Magruder, Mr. Milam was a founding member and the first commander of the Heart of Texas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. Mr. Milam was preceded in death by his wife and oldest son, J. Rush Milam, III. He is survived by his son, John Madison Clement Milam and his wife, Susan Jo and daughter, Mary Milam Wentworth and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Murphey Milam; grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Milam, Margaret Brooks Milam, Benjamin James Milam, Adam Sattler Milam Wentworth, Martha Margaret Milam and Michael Cameron Wentworth and dear nephew, Robert Cameron Milam. A special thanks to Meals on Wheels volunteers, Baxter and Dena Johns and Stephanie Baker. Pallbearers will be Joe Riley, Stan Brown, Timothy Bulkley, Phil Hering, Markham Dossett, David Seesing, Peter Kultgen and Dr. Tommy Waggener. Honorary pallbearers are Harry Trippet, Arthur Owen, Charles Gervig, Mack McClain, Norman Hay, Brig. Gen. Carl McIntosh, Murray Watson, Malcolm Louden, Spencer Brown, Lawrence Lacy, Dr. Tom Husbands, Joe Ward, Goodhue Smith, Lacy Clifton and General Lawson Magruder. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Family Practice Center, 1600 Providence Dr., Waco, 76707, Community Cancer Association, PO Box 5002, Waco, 76708 and the Rush Milam Boy Scout Fund at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Ave., Waco, 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey