James Rayford Millwee was born on October 26, 1930 on a farm outside Crockett, Texas to James Sidney and Lou Ella Morgan Millwee. He passed away on February 9, 2015 at the Gove County LTCF in Quinter, Kansas at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, John Hugh Millwee, William Clois Millwee, Evelyn Joyce Millwee Christian, and Thomas Edgar Millwee.
Jim graduated from Austonio High School in 1947 at the age of 16. Shortly thereafter he moved to Houston, Texas and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for three years. Jim was drafted into the U.S. army in 1951 shortly after the start of the Korean conflict. He was united in marriage to Martha Elizabeth Flora in 1957 in Colorado Springs. They were the parents of two daughters, Lisa Gayle and Sandra Kay. Jim served in the Army for 20 years, serving posts in Europe, Hawaii, Vietnam, and various sites in the U.S. including the Pentagon. He was selected as one of the first Army Enlisted Men to attend college under the Enlisted College Program, majoring in computer science. He retired from the military in 1971 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the Adjutant General Corps. He returned to college and obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business and Computer Science from Ft. Hays State College.
Jim helped start a Pension Consulting Firm in Great Bend Kansas. He retired in 1989. He and Martha enjoyed extensive traveling prior to her death in 2002. Jim was an active member of the First Christian Church in Great Bend, serving many years on the Church Board, teaching an Adult Sunday School Class, and occasionally filling the pulpit!
Jim spent several years researching, writing and publishing a family history book. He was very proud of his family and grandchildren. Jim was proud to serve his country and liked to be actively involved in politics. In 2004 he married Janis Brooks in Quinter where they made their home. They enjoyed playing games with family and friends and traveling until Jim became ill in 2007. Jim will be especially remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife Janis, his daughters Lisa and husband Richard Nenow; Sandra and husband Robert Schmitt; three granddaughters, Erica and husband Cagney McCormick, Andrea Nenow, Jessica Nenow; two grandsons, Braden Schmitt and Dylan Schmitt; and Janis’ family, Jeanette and Carlton Williams, Susan Kent, Shane and Amy Brooks, and grandchildren Daniel and Stacy Kent, Nicholas Kent, Carlin Williams, Tanya Brooks, and Tamika Brooks; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2015, at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery in Quinter with military honors by Fr. Riley Honor Guard.
Visitation will be Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to service time at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Services, Inc. Checks made to the organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.