John Henry Milner, Jr. passed away on December 14th after a long illness, surrounded by family. John (Johnny) was a talented musician and a multifaceted individual. Born October 17, 1945 in Greenwood, MS to Anne Louise Craig and John Henry Milner. He leaves behind his father John H. Milner, loving wife, Nancy, sisters Anne Hamilton [Trotter] and Craig [Karlson], sons Chris and Jason Milner, stepdaughter Michelle [Morreale], and grandchildren Eric, Justin, Brandon, and Marina Milner. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Louise Craig Milner. John graduated from Greenwood High School (class of ’63), attended Bullis Prep School prior to his appointment to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated with a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering (class of ’68) He spent eight years as Navy pilot during which time he was stationed at Pensacola where he earned his wings and became a flight instructor, then Guam as aircraft commander for VQ-1. He ended his Navy career at Point Mugu, California. As a Vietnam veteran, he received several medals and commendations. His last flight log entry marks the date of November 11, 1976 when he delivered his airplane (EC-121) Super Constellation to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. After a short time working in private industry in California, he returned to government service as an engineer and Navy Technical Representative with the Department of Defense, Missile Systems Projects. He worked in the Navpro office at General Dynamics in Pomona, CA. In 1990 he was transferred to Chattanooga, TN, and ultimately at the TechRep office at Raytheon in Tucson where he lived and retired. He was very proud to be a part of the Standard Missile project, SM3. He was the recipient of many accolades from NAVSEA Port Hueneme Surface Warfare Center Division. He retired June 3, 2005 after thirty one years of combined military and civil service. His many interests included, but were not limited to, music, cooking, and bonsai gardening. He wrote songs, sang and played guitar, bass, and drums with several bands over many years including the Naval Academy’s first rock band the “Spiffys”. John had a passion for life and made life long friends everywhere he went. The family wishes to thank Tucson Medical Center Hospice and staff for the wonderful care provided. ServiceS were held at the First United Methodist Church in Greenwood, MS. on December 28 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Caringbridge.org are greatly appreciated.
This is the eulogy that Joe Seawright wrote for Johnny and he read it at his funeral service. There was not a dry eye in the crowd.
GOODBYE JOHNNY B. GOODE
I met Johnny Milner in Junior High, when he came into the 7th grade from Davis School, and I came from Bankston Elementary. I think we might have been in Cub Scouts before that, but I really can’t remember that far back. I know our friendship formally began at age 13, and continues to this day, and will continue to infinity. It has been a friendship such that, even punctuated with long intervals of separation, a friendship that has enriched my life immensely.
Although Johnny’s first loves were certainly his Nancy, a genuine California Girl, and his sons Jason and Chris, and Michelle, after that his love for music came next. I like to think I had some influence in shaping and directing that next love. I taught Johnny to play the guitar beginning about 1958. Or should I say, I gave him a push in the right direction. Not that I was any great teacher, but he learned quickly, and he learned well. I just showed him a few “secret licks” and that was all the impetus required, as the rock ‘n roll fire inside was already blazing.
Having already been blind-sided by Elvis and Chuck Berry, we soon came under the influence of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Stones, the Motown bunch and a long string of others. Once we had enough ammunition loaded into our repertoire, we began our journey, along with Joe Correro Jr. and Leland Russell, forming the Sweet Nothins’ (props to a Brenda Lee title). The Sweet Nothins’ flame burned hot and brilliant, but alas burned out too soon, as I departed Greenwood for Ole Miss and Johnny for Annapolis.
After only about 5 or 6 years of daily interactions, our friendship shifted to long distance mode, with reunions once or twice a year, in places like Pensacola, Rancho Cucamonga, Chattanooga, Destin, and then the reunions became even less frequent, but even more special when they did occur.
I shared a lot of good times with my friend, especially through high school. I remember sneaking out after midnight from his house, pushing his Mom’s station wagon down the driveway before starting the engine or turning on the lights. Yeah, we were cool… until we would find his Dad waiting on us when we showed back up about sunrise. Water skiing at Roebuck Lake, and me crashing his Dad’s ski boat into a very large cypress tree. And building the tater cannon in Chattanooga with Bill & Judi. The trips to his family’s condo in Perdido Key. Endless Summer, year round.
When Johnny became ill last year, although I prayed for him daily, and checked the Caring Bridge website regularly, I called him only once. I know I should have called more, but it was too painful for me. I couldn’t bear to hear him. It wasn’t the Johnny Milner I had always known – the guy with the lust for life and music. The guy with the heart of gold and a touch of the devil in his pocket. The guy with not just a love for music, but a passion for performing it. The friend I was lucky to have had for so long.
I will carry and cherish his memory forever, and every day it will make me a better person to have known him. Sail on, Sail on, Sailor.
Here are a few pictures from the sprinkling of his ashes.
We started at the Tallahatchie bridge which is the bridge that he and his buddies used to jump off of in High School. Then we went out to Gamba and Goodaddy's house and sprinkled a little around the old swimming pool tree and the ginko in the back. Lastly we went to Gamba's grave and buried some there as well. The kids had lots of questions but they really added some "lite humor" to the sad situation and Anne Craig proclaimed that she does not want to be cremated. FYI. I am ditto on that for all of you who are wondering. Just lay my rigormorticed body out flat and put me in the ground!! Fully and finely dressed please! OK, enought chatter about death...
2009 is going to be a good year. It just has to be. Enough about death. Go live life and enjoy. Go...go.. go now...!!! My New Year's resolution is to only do things this year that I really want to do and that which brings pleasure to myself, my family and those around me. Here is a quote that I saw on my friend, Kim Sue Wise's blog, that sums up my struggle as well with the word ENJOY,
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve my world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." E.B. White
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