James “Jimmie” Price Milliken Jr., 84, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 27, 2015.
He is survived by his high-school sweetheart, life partner, and true love, Joanna Meade Milliken of Vero Beach; his children Dianne (Tom), Sandie (Gary), George (Martie), Betsy (Steve), and Jim (Julie); grandchildren Justin (Tara), Joanna (Kevin), Jack, Evie, Charley (Kevin), and Lesley; Forrest, Sarah, Stuart, and Robert; Bess (Morgan), Margaret, and Peter; Ashley and Matthew (Kaitlyn); great-grandchildren Tommy, Eddie, Abraham, Rose, Joy, Ella, Grant, Samuel, Lilly, Grayson, and Willa; nieces and nephews Cathie and David, Bobby, and Julie and Paul; his special and devoted, younger brother, Rey Allen Neville (Mary) of Vero Beach; and caring sister-in-law Shirley Meade Romano of Roanoke, Va.
He was predeceased by his father, James Price Milliken, lost in the Philippines during WWII and his mother, Ruby Spencer Neville; guardian uncle, George M. Milliken, Jr. and wife, Evelyn B. Milliken; step-father, Rey W. Neville.
Milliken was born Oct. 30, 1931, in Roanoke, Va. After being raised there, he spent many years of his career in the business industry working in other cities, mostly in the Philadelphia area. He called Vero Beach his home for the last 23 years.
He was a gentleman of the skies, a true Hokie, and a dedicated Marine to the end. He received both his pilot’s license and driver’s license in his teen years. His love of planes and cars was evident as he drove a new car to the airport most weekends of his life.
Milliken is fondly remembered flying to college tours, drop off vacations, and buzzing the house and Interstate 81 with pleasure.
He was a 1955 graduate of “VPI” and followed their story and growth over the last 60 years. His passion for aviation was evident in his long history of private planes, his involvement as an avid War Bird enthusiast, his extensive volumes of aviation history and novels, and model aircraft collection of all periods. He remained active in his local Quiet Bird (QBs) organization and enjoyed his conversations and meals shared there in Vero Beach.
Graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Va. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation or contribution to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.