Robert Milligan
April 23, 1930 — September 14, 2016
Robert Boyd “Bob” Milligan
April 23, 1930 – September 14, 2016
Robert Boyd “Bob” Milligan passed away in his home in Kemp, TX at the age of 86 on September 14, 2016 after a fiercely fought battle with Parkinsons and Ahlzheimers. Bob is survived by his 4 children and their spouses, Wayne & Cynthia Milligan of Edgewood, Denise and Charles Miller of Lewisville, Dennis and Lea Ann Milligan of Lewisville and Jeanne and JD Spraberry of Balch Springs, 3 grandchildren, Jody Campbell, Shahala and Lonzo Savage and Scott and Nicole Milligan, 3 great-grandsons, Tyler Wayne Milligan, Kenneth Dexter Milligan and the newest, Blaine Cole Milligan. He is also survived by 4 brothers and their spouses, Mayhue Milligan, Joe Bill and Virginia Milligan, Fred and Cindy Milligan, Ray Milligan and one sister, Kay and Leonard Carlton, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jean Ball Milligan, parents, William Alvis “Bud” Milligan and Clara Pate Milligan Taylor, sisters Shirley Jean Milligan and Edith Wright Vaughn and sister-in-law, Sue Milligan.
Bob was born in Slocum, Texas to Bud and Clara Milligan on April 23, 1930. Being one of 8 children born to itinerant farmers, he developed his love of travel at an early age and his love of music from his mother who taught him to play the guitar. Little did he know that would be the beginning of a life time career of music in which he would touch many lives and make many life-long friends.
Bob married the love of his life, Bobbie, on July 8, 1950 in Plano, Texas while serving in the Army. He served multiple tours of duty in the Army and Air Force being stationed in Alaska and Germany. It was while he was in Germany that he and his brother, Mayhue, were members of the German version of the Grand Ole Opry with Bob playing an upright bass to Mayhue’s guitar and vocals. Upon his return to the states and his growing family, he began his career as a machinist with Continental Emsco in Garland, Texas. He continued his “real job” until he retired from his own machine shop in Athens TX.
His true passion was music. Not just music, but Country and Western Swing music. While working at his “real job”, he continued to pursue his music career which spanned 6 decades. He played with multiple bands throughout the years some of which are Curtis Kirk, Dick Hammonds and the Hammers, Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers, Al Lewis and the Night Owls, One Hundred Proof and Real Country. Bob enjoyed talking and visiting with the “old guys” but would also take time to mentor the new kids trying to break into the music business, known to most as Uncle Bob. He also passed on his love of music to his family who are singers and bass players in their own right and who will share this music for years to come.
Bob will be laid to rest at the Baker Cemetery in Tolosa, Texas.