Milton Gene Renfree

Milton (Milt) Renfree, 94, of Auburn, passed away on July 6, 2022. Milt was born in Richmond, CA on October 12, 1927 to Rueben and Effie Renfree of El Cerrito, CA. Milt graduated from El Cerrito High School, mid-term 1945, leaving his student body presidency, to play professional baseball as an outfielder for the San Diego Padres minor league system. He sailed with the Merchant Marines during World War II, delivering supplies to the Pacific theater. Upon his return, Milt moved to the Mt. Vernon road property to live with his dad and step mom, Amelia. Milt worked in the woods as a logger before hiring on with P.G. & E. After a few years of working, Milt was drafted by the US Army infantry during the Korean war, 6th Army unit stationed in Germany. Milt returned to Auburn to work and retired from P.G. & E. as a Water System Repairman, working out of both the Auburn and Alta stations. Milt met the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Shanley, while driving his motorcycle past the Shanley ranch each day to and from work, which ironically, was also off Mt. Vernon Road. As fate would have it, Milt and Dot went on to get married in the Catholic Church in Virginia City, NV and together raised 4 children. Although Milt wasn’t Catholic, he was very proud of their commitment to educate their children through St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Auburn. Milt is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy Renfree, children Kathleen Hall, Sam & Sue Renfree, Mark & Patti Renfree and Chris & Tracey Renfree, 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides playing professional baseball, Milt also played baseball for the US Army, as well as the Auburn Cubs. He also coached youth baseball for over 30 years in the Auburn area and was an inductee into the Northern California Sports Association Hall of Fame. Milt enjoyed the great outdoors, gardening, trout fishing and camping. He was also passionate about sharing his time reading stories for the local Rock Creek kindergarten classes. Milt’s family would like to thank both Oakwood Village and Auburn Oaks facilities for providing quality care to him during the last 7 years of his life. Graveside burial service will be held July 22 at 12:00 O’clock, at the New Auburn District Cemetery, 1040 Collins Drive, Auburn CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations on Milton Renfree’s behalf, to “Ag in the Classroom” organization, using the following link (Please copy and paste):

https://cfaitc.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/cfaitc/donation.jsp?campaign=489&