John Henry Milburn

Biography

John Henry “Johnny” Milburn, 80, passed from this life with his wife and children at his side at his home in Covington on Friday morning April 6, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 10th, at the Church of Christ in Covington with Mr. Roger Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Derden Cemetery near Covington. Viewing will be held from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Johnny was born on August 31, 1931 in Georgetown, Texas to Henry and Alma (Mertink) Milburn. Along with his parents and sisters, he moved to Denver, Colorado as a young child. It was there he graduated from North Denver High School and later enlisted in the United States Air Force. He attained the rank of Tech Sergeant prior to his discharge after 4 years of Honorable service to his country during the Korean Conflict. While still in the service, he met his soul mate, Wanda Nix, and they were married at Wanda's parents’ home in Covington, Texas, on Dec. 31, 1951, a marriage lasting over 60 years. Following his military service, the couple made their home in Covington, Texas.

In 1955, Johnny began a 34 year career with the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railroad Co. in Cleburne. He was a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aero-Space workers. Through the years, he served many terms as an elected member of the Covington ISD Board of Trustees, and also served over 37 years as an elected Trustee for the Hill College Board of Regents.

The first mayor for the City of Covington, he served for several terms and worked with the City Council to obtain thousands of dollars in Federal Grant programs to begin the building of the City's first wastewater treatment plant. In addition, he also served several years on the boards of the Heart of Texas Council of Governments, CAUSE, Inc. and as a member of the Covington Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Emmaus Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed horseback riding, team roping, calf roping, hunting and fishing. Training Pointer bird dogs, as well as German Shepherds, also gave him great satisfaction. A talented amateur arborist, he took great pleasure in grafting pecan trees for friends in the area. In one particular tree, he successfully grafted 5 different varieties of pecans. It still grows and produces each variety of pecan to this day. While these were simple pleasures in his life, he also found joy in assisting many who sought to better themselves through higher education. He really lit up when he spoke of Hill College and the many campuses it has with its broad range of curriculum.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Kathy Bowles. He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Milburn of Covington; daughter Theresa Fuller and husband, Larry of Covington, son John Keith Milburn and wife, Paula of Hillsboro and daughter Pamela Timmons and husband, Aaron of Covington; two sisters, Dorothy Borra and Theresa Stephens of Colorado; four grandchildren, Steven Cordell and wife, Tephanie, James Cordell, Candace Bates and husband, Cody of Covington and Stacey Timmons and wife, Tiffany of Midlothian; nine great grandchildren, Morgan, Brooke and Lily Cordell and Kennedy Bates of Covington, Austen and Annistyn Cordell of Blum and Peyton, Chelsea and Dillan Schouw of Midlothian; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be made to Hill College Nursing Program; 112 Lamar Drive; Hillsboro, TX 76645.

Funeral Service

Tuesday April 10, 2012 , 11:00 AM at Covington Church of Christ

Viewing

Monday April 9, 2012 , 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors