James “Bob” Robert Milburn

James Milburn, age 85, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, July 21, 2021 in Weatherford, Texas, where he had been a resident at Peach Tree Memory Care Center since December, 2020.

Service:  2:00 P.M., Sunday, July 25, 2021 in Biggers Funeral Home Chapel

Interment:  Central Cemetery, Weatherford, Texas

Visitation:  1:00 P.M., prior to the Service

Bob was born January 10, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert Carl and Lois (Smith) Milburn, where his Dad worked as a Tool & Die Maker/Machinist. When Bob was 12 years old, his family moved to their small farm in Rector, Arkansas.

He graduated from Rector High School in 1954, lettering in baseball & basketball.  In that same year, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Reynolds. They’ve been devoted partners for 66+ years.

Bob’s dream had been to play baseball for the Detroit Tigers. They had scouted him during high school and gave him an invitation to try out for a spot on their Farm team. Bob and Carolyn went to Detroit, and he practiced with the team, for a few weeks. In the end, Bob chose a different career path, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served his Country with distinction for 20 years, retiring as a Senior Master Sargeant. Bob & his beloved wife, Carolyn raised two daughters, Debbie & Cathy. Their little family lived in several places, as Bob served in Air Force. Bob was also assigned to U.S. bases in Korea & Thailand, for 3 “remote tours.” These yearlong assignments were served without his family. During those times, many, many letters were exchanged between Bob & his “girls”.

Once retired from the Air Force, Bob worked for the State of New Mexico, Department of Motor Vehicles, in Clovis, NM. He was the community’s favorite Driver’s License Examiner!  In addition, on his own time, he taught many young people how to drive safely, and to pass their Driver’s Test. After he retired from the job with the DMV, Bob & Carolyn moved to Texas! Their “Ranchette” is located near Springtown. They raised a few sheep, kept their horse, “Dolly,” various dogs, and 2 donkeys, “Rosie,” & “BJ.” The donkey named “BJ” is still around, 36 years old!

After Bob & Carolyn moved from the “country” to Fort Worth, Bob made weekly visits to see his donkey, “BJ,” and “putter around the place,” as he would say it. A neighbor provided BJ’s primary care, but for the past 17 years, Bob carried out his weekly visits.

Since his childhood, Bob has had a passion for HUNTING small & big game. (Deer, Antelope, Ibex, Moose, Caribou.) He also developed skills in taxidermy, and through the years, he produced many beautiful mountings of various wildlife.

After their move to Texas, in 1998, Bob worked for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, as a Security Officer. Later, he was employed as a Corrections Officer, by Wackenhut, a private minimum-security prison. Bob’s work ethic, professionalism, & genuine care for the inmates, earned him honors, friends, and the gratitude of many under his care and protection.

As a man of deep faith in God, Bob has served faithfully in many Christian congregations, through the years. He & Carolyn are currently members of the Lakeside Baptist Church, in Lakeside, TX.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Carl and Lois Milburn.

His is survived by, his loving wife of 67 years, Carolyn (Reynolds) Milburn; two daughters, Debbie (Milburn) Krafft of Warner Robins, Georgia and Cathy (Milburn) Kingeter of Dallas, Texas; two son-in-laws, Greg Krafft and Scott Kingeter; four grandchildren, Preston Robert Krafft, Nathan Gregory Krafft, Sarah Rose Kingeter and Ross Allen Kingeter; his sister, Shirley Terbrueggen and his best friend and hunting buddy, Steve Thomas.