Milton Draughn Rountree

He was born in Cedar Grove, NC on April 13, 1928, to the late Draughn and Cora Riley Rountree. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty C. Rountree; daughter Nancy R. Bailey and husband John of Pine Level, NC; daughter Denise R. Bray and husband Ronald of Summerfield, NC; grandson Christopher M. Owens of Austin, TX; granddaughter Michelle L. Owens of Charlotte, NC; step grandsons John Bray of Columbia, SC and David Bray of Reidsville, NC; four step great-grandchildren; aunt Pauline Clayton of Hillsborough, NC; numerous nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law Chandler Cates of Hillsborough, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Rountree and sisters Blanche R. Thomas, Mary R. Ballard, and Margaret R. Cates.

Milton was a graduate of Aycock High School in Cedar Grove. He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from High Point College in 1949 where he was a member of Iota Tau Kappa. He also attended North Carolina State University and Wake Community College.

After college, Milton taught high school math in Germanton, NC where he also served as the basketball and baseball coach. From 1950-1954, he served in the United States Air Force as part of the 308th Armament and Electronics Squadron where he was stationed in Savannah, GA and deployed to Morocco in North Africa. After four years, he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.

He spent his career with Westinghouse Meter Division in Raleigh, NC, retiring after 32 years as a senior industrial engineer. While at Westinghouse, he also served as a math instructor for the tool, die, and apprentice program. Milton played on the Westinghouse softball, golf, and bowling teams. He was a member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers and the Westinghouse Square Club.

After his retirement from Westinghouse, Milton worked for several years as an industrial engineer for Walter Kidde Corporation in Wake Forest, NC.

Milton was a charter member of St. James United Methodist Church. He served as the first treasurer and remained in that position for many years. He served on the building committee, as chair of the trustees, and on numerous other committees.

Milton was a member of the Wake-New Hope Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and served two terms as chief. He was a life-time member of 286 Rolesville Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of North Carolina where he served as worthy patron and was a long-time member and past master of the Rolesville Masonic Lodge 683.

The family expresses great appreciation to the dedicated staff at Springmoor for the loving care and support provided during his illness.

A funeral service will be held Monday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 3808 St. James Church Road, Raleigh, NC. Burial with masonic rites will follow at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 15 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh.

Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made in Milton’s memory to St. James United Methodist Church, 3808 St. James Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27604; The Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC27565 ; Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615; Alzheimer’s Association-Eastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh NC 27612.