Michael Hunt Milby Jr.

    Michael Hunt Milby, Jr. 92, passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2014 in Edna. He was born on Sept. 19, 1922 on Blackjack Street in Edna, to Michael Hunt Milby, Sr. and Sophia Rebecca Wilkerson Milby. He was born to a pioneer Jackson County Family, and was an American in every sense of the word.  He was a 1940 graduate of Edna High School, class president and voted most outstanding boy.
    In early 1943 while working at the Post Office he traveled to Houston to join the Air Force. On June 3, 1943 he was sworn into the American Air Force as a second lieutenant. In October 1944 he shipped out from Hampton Roads, Virginia with 43 other Air Crews on the small liberty named Admiral Farragut and became a bombardier on a B24. He spent time in Italy on the island of Sicily. During one of the missions his plane had to make an emergency landing in Hungary, and on March 26, 1945 he became missing in action. He and 10 of his fellow crew members were transferred by train to Odessa, Russia. Mike and the pilot, Robert N. Barnhart were the only crew members still living. They stayed in contact and visited by phone frequently and were able to visit each other recently.
    Mike worked for Magnolia Petroleum Oil Company and retired in 1984 from ExxonMobil Oil Company in Electra. He was an avid reader, collector of guns and knives, loved pets, his family, friends and church. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Democratic Party. He loved dancing and country music. He had many stories to tell and often gave the family details of his past history describing life in Jackson County and his military experiences. Many of his stories were shared recently at his 92nd birthday party.
    Michael Hunt Milby is survived by his loving wife, Pinky Downs Wade Milby; daughter Sue Milby Quinn of Edna, son Michael Wayne Milby and his wife Carolyn Hansen Milby of Spring, daughter Priscilla Ann Milby McAlister and husband Terry McAlister of Electra.  He is also survived by his wife Pinky's children, Ettie Hodges and companion Burton Davis, daughter-in-law Linda Wade Easterling and husband Ron. He leaves behind his legacy with grandchildren, Troy Lynn Quinn, Kerry Michael Quinn, and wife Sheila, Robin Shawn Quinn, Charlotte Sue Quinn Curlee and husband Dennis Duane Curlee, Jr. of Edna, and Eric Emil Quinn and wife Jo Kathryn of Wimberly, Kevin McAlister and wife Dede of Electra, Michael McAlister and wife Ali of Heath, Lauren McAlister Tuma and husband Corbin of Georgetown, Bethany McAlister Butler and husband Justin of Okaunion, and Neil Wade of Edna; great-grandchildren, Tyler Troy Quinn of West Palm Beach, Fla., Jordan Perry Quinn of Edna, Molly Quinn Frankel and husband Joel Frankel of Edna, Amanda Coleen Quinn Edwards and husband Damian Edwards of Clarksville, Tenn., Shawn Lee Quinn of Austin, Janet Louise Quinn Jones and husband Andrew Jones of Skidmore, Scarlett Sue Hicks Muniz and husband Miguel Muniz of Edna, Hunter Ray Hicks and wife Vanessa Hicks of Edna, Clinton Milby Quinn of Washington DC, Maddie and Graham McAlister of Heath, Kolton and Averie McAlister of Electra, Emerson Tuma of Georgetown, Alden and Ariana Butler of Olkaunion; great-great-grandchildren, Chris, Po, Matthew, Bianca Michelle and Myka Kennedy Muniz, Dawson Carter and Kaydance Jones of Skidmore, and Everly Edwards of Clarksville, Tenn.
    He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Virginia Ann "Dolly" Mascheck Flanagan, second wife Billie Jean Bogue Milby; sisters Georgia Erle Milby Lowery and Annie Louise "Dootsie" Milby and brothers Henry Franklin "Bubba" Milby and Robert Woodrow Milby; son-in-law Troy Quinn, and great-granddaughter Liliana Butler.
    Memorial Services will be Monday, Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Edna, with Rev. Robert Krause officiating.
    Because Mike loved his pets, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jackson County Happy Tails Animal Shelter; P.O.Box 1305 Edna, Texas 77957, 361-782-8417; his home church; First Baptist Church of Edna P.O.Box 417 Edna, Texas, or to a charity of your choice.
    Services under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St. Edna, 361-782-2152.