(Rose) Huggs on November 29th, 1929. Milt passed away peacefully on March 26th, 2018
surrounded by the love of his family and with his grandson Peter by his side.
With a mother who worked full time, and a father away in the service, Milton was grateful for
many happy childhood days spent at the Boys Club, the YMCA and in Boy Scouts. Milton rode
the street car after school to the Boys Club and swam and played basketball until 7pm. His
mother worked two blocks away at Walgreen’s and they would head home together. Viola
nicknamed Milton Sonny Boy. They lived first on Martin Street and later moved to Cedar. Alfred
Dobbins (became an optometrist) and Tom Beck (became a postman) were Milt’s two best
boyhood friends. They played under the raised house and had chickens in the back yard.
Oscar joined the Navy in 1942 at the age of 38, and drove trucks in Italy. Oscar discharged
from the Navy in 1944 and went to work for the National Biscuit Company in Russellville. He
and Viola divorced and she rented rooms to boarders for extra income. Milton ran track in
junior high, but the possibility of him being able to participate in sports in high school didn’t
look very promising because of his small stature. When family in Bakersfield told Viola that
Milton would be able to play high school sports she decided to make the move west when
Milton was 15, half way through his sophomore year. They moved in with Viola’s brother, Milt’s
Uncle Lester, on L Street. Milton lettered in football and track at East Bakersfield High School.
Milton was fast so he played halfback and ran the hurdles, sprints and did the high jump. He
said he always got second place and in football kept hoping to weigh in at 150 pounds, but he
could not get past 140. His cousin, Jack Williams, would sometimes give him a ride to school,
but Milton had to sit in the outside rumble seat because they would also pick up Jack’s
girlfriend. He froze on those winter rides but it was better than taking the bus. During their
senior year drama class, Milton met his future wife, Doris Jeanne O’Dell. After graduating,
Milton attended Bakersfield College for one semester and was employed by the Bakersfield
Californian making good use of his artistic abilities in the display advertising department. At the
same time, Milton’s Uncle Jimmy was managing the Safeway in Greenfield and his mother was
approached by Tony Perry about purchasing the nearby Traveler’s Inn. Uncle Lester got
involved with the bar and soon Milton was washing all of the dishes by hand. With three sinks
and no automatic dishwasher, Milton washed every dish at all three of those sinks and quickly
came to the conclusion that he didn’t want any part of the restaurant business. However, he
did earn enough money to buy his first car, a black ’46 Chevy Arrow Sedan.
At that time the options for the military were to be drafted for four years or volunteer for one.
He figured he could volunteer for one and continue on with his life plans. Milton enlisted in the
Navy in the fall of 1948. Milton hitchhiked home to marry Doris on his boot leave in November
of that same year. They were married at the Southern Baptist Church on Columbus Avenue,
honeymooned in LA at the Knickerbocker for one night and then at the less expensive Ivy
Manor Suites for the second night . They attended a radio show for free and Doris got to be
Queen for a Day on the popular show with the same name. They traveled to Santa Barbara
from there and then Milt returned to San Francisco to complete the remainder of his
commitment to the Navy. He was stationed in both San Diego and at Los Alamitos Naval Air
Station. The USS Boxer was in dry dock on overhaul so Milton worked half a day and then had
free time and free weekends so he would hitchhike to Bakersfield and return on the bus. When
the Boxer was removed from dry dock , the crew made a trip to Hawaii to load a squadron of
planes, followed by a trip to Kodiak, Alaska to load a squadron of bobcats. The travel
opportunities aboard the USS Boxer (UV 17) ignited his lifelong desire to explore the world.
After his discharge from the Navy in San Diego, Milton, ever the planner, decided to join Doris
in the teaching profession with the hope of future travels on their school breaks. He attended
Bakersfield College for his provisional credential, took night extension classes from Fresno
State, moved to Fresno for one semester, did one summer school in Visalia, another summer
school in Bakersfield, all the while teaching 5th grade at Roosevelt Elementary full-time, taking
every extra pay position he could such as morning and afternoon playground duty, keeping the
books for his mother at the Traveler’s, drafting for the road commissioner’s office, etc. which
left little time for the newlyweds to do much else in those early years. However, the couple
bought a lot on Liggett Street planning to build a house. They moved a trailer onto the lot and
built a bathroom with Uncle Lester. Then Milt heard of a new tract Ralph Smith was putting in
near the corner of Oak Street and Brundage Lane. The decision was made to build on Terrace
Way instead of Liggett along with two good friends, Jack Garriott and Ernie Oldham. The three
guys built a cement mixer together and worked together to pour patios, walkways, etc. at all
three homes. During this time Doris taught third grade, Milt taught fifth grade and Aunt Alice
(Doris’ dad Clarence’s sister) taught fourth grade at Roosevelt. Gayle was born in 1952. Milton
was transferred to College Heights and decided then to build a home in East Bakersfield at
2901 Hollins Street. Cheryl was born in 1956, followed by Mark in 1958. In 1960, Milt planned
to take a one year leave from teaching to assist his mother with her booming business at the
Traveler’s Inn. However, a combination of events kept Milt from ever returning to the classroom.
About this time, businesses such as the Traveler’s Inn that were located along the original route
of Highway 99 (Union Avenue) were highly impacted when the route was moved to its current
location. Insurance companies required truck drivers to take the shortest route so the number
of trucker customers significantly decreased when the old Highway 99 was bypassed. Mr.
Ginet (a Frenchman) from Atlantic Richfield approached Milton with the idea of building a
truckadero restaurant adjacent to the gas station they were putting in at the Olive Drive exit of
99 tempting him with the possibility of making nearly $600 a month on cigarette sales alone.
Milt determined he could afford $600 rent a month but Atlantic Richfield declined his offer and
made a deal with Perry. So Milt and Doris used their money to begin construction on a new
home just west of town in the new development of Stockdale Estates. Perry backed out of the
deal and Atlantic Richfield was desperate knowing truckers would not stop for gas without a
place to eat so they came back to Milt with a better deal. Milt agreed to the deal, borrowed
$6000 from his mother and began construction on his new restaurant. He accumulated five
speeding tickets that year driving between their home in College Heights, construction on the
new home in Stockdale Estates, construction on the restaurant off of Olive Drive and his job at
Traveler’s in Greenfield.
Milt’s Coffee Shop opened its doors on Armistice Day (Veteran’s Day) on November 11, 1964
and being the only restaurant in the area, they were swamped! Milt designed the logo the
coffee shop is known for using the upside down fork to form the letter ‘M’ in Milt’s. Milt was
forever grateful to purveyors like Jim Dale of Dale Brothers Coffee, Carnation Dairy and Golden
Crust Bakery who supplied him with coffee, dairy products and bread for the first several
months of business on credit. He was also so thankful for the many employees and loyal
customers who brought pleasure to the working days and stuck with him throughout the thick
and thin years. He said he always managed to find the best help around! Milt’s was popular
with locals, truckers, and tourists alike. Milt used a popular local football team, the Rams,
which attracted blue collar working folks, for an advertising venue. He also hired the “cutest”
waitresses he could find, attired them in short shorts, equipped them with CB radios and sent
them up the Grapevine to the rest stop to hand out free dinner and coffee coupons until
policemen shut them down for advertising on state property. Candy and novelties sales
boosted income also. With the restaurant open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year (closing only
on Christmas), the family has many fond memories of joining Milt for dinner at the big corner
booth just to catch a glimpse of him. Milt’s first chef, Lee, was with him for over 30 years. Milt
incorporated his love of art with a bas relief he designed that encircles the upper interior walls
of the restaurant and a mural he commissioned one of his loyal truckers to paint. Milt designed
his early menus, hand made the daily special inserts, made coloring pages for the kids and
stocked a treasure chest with trinkets for children to choose from. Milt’s Coffee Shop has
weathered many changes with the passage of laws impacting smoking in public places, along
with the loss of revenue from cigarette sales, replacing those sales with the sale of lottery
tickets, the construction of I-5 which moved the trucking business away from Highway 99, the
shift in the typical truck driving job from daytime hours to overnight drivers which attracted a
different personality that affected the loyal local clientele, the opening of The Cookery across
the street which later became Hodel’s, the closing of the gas station on the property and the
opening of a hotel which took a large portion of Milt’s parking spaces, a grease fire caused by a
faulty thermostat in the deep fryer which shut the restaurant down for three months and the
need to keep up with current social media and the foodie following movements just to name a
few. Milt went on to open the Ranch Inn in Shafter at the Coelho exit and the Iron Horse where
he created a railroad themed restaurant. The Santa Fe station closed at the site of the old
round house and Milt leased the land. Milt took Ewing’s Stockdale Inn from Stockdale Highway
and moved it to the lot at the freeway overpass at the corner of California Avenue and Oak
Street. Mayor Don Hart attended the groundbreaking ceremony. He sunk a caboose, cut the
building in half and placed it around the caboose. Opening day the electricity went out at
lunch! The Iron Horse served buffalo steaks and burgers from Wyoming. Milt said he had more
fun with the creative venture than actually operating the restaurant. The East-West Rotary Club
that Milt belonged to held their meetings at the Iron Horse for years. Chuck Connors came for
a visit. Free cake was offered on the third anniversary.
Milt struck a deal in 2001 to sell Milt’s Coffee Shop and retire. Although a bit reluctant, Milt
felt like the deal was something he couldn’t pass up. The family threw a big retirement party,
complete with rented tent, dinner and entertainment on the Milt’s parking lot, only to have the
deal fall through a few weeks later. Milt actually seemed to cheer up with the failed deal and
continued to operate Milt’s with full vim and vigor.
A bit of Milt’s Coffee Shop trivia…Milt remodeled just prior to 2000. The entrance was
moved from the south side of the restaurant to the east side. Milt designed two rusted metal
rooster sculptures to give a homier welcome. The display of plates from all 50 states was a gift
from Milt’s mother. They had originally hung at the Traveler’s Inn. The original mural painted in
the 70’s still adorns the walls today. Milt was a regular face at his restaurant and befriended
many customers throughout the years. Tables replaced many of the booths as customers’
seating choices changed. Until his last few months, Milt kept an office at the coffee shop,
showing up on occasions to bus tables, pour coffee, work the register and visit with the
employees and customers who had become friends.
In addition to the three restaurants Milt owned, he also had several other real estate
investments including rental homes and office spaces. He partnered in many business ventures
over the years from housing tracts to office buildings
Milt was a visionary with the ability to combine hard work with pleasure. As much effort as
he put into his businesses, he also devoted to caring for his family and enjoying his friends. Milt
had a folder for each family member, full of magazine clippings, newspaper articles and notes
with ideas and thoughts unique to each individual.
Ever the planner, Milt and Doris traveled the world numerous times while family at home
lived vicariously through the detailed itineraries he left. A generous and loving husband, father,
grandfather “Boompa” and great-grandfather, Milt shared his love of travel with his family,
bringing them together on many occasions around the globe. He and Doris took each of their 7
grandchildren on “around the world” trips in their pre-teen years. Boompa’s one regret was that
he didn’t have a chance to do the same for his great grandchildren. To Milt, a broadened
perspective was the greatest souvenir and he left a legacy of using travel as an introduction to
the world.
Frustrated with long drives, Milt obtained his pilot’s license, searching for a way to see more
destinations. Milt and Doris cherished the time spent at their condos in Morro Bay and
Mammoth. They enjoyed countless trips with friends throughout the years, whether it was to
tennis tournaments or the far reaches of the globe.
Milt was a lifelong learner who always sought the knowledge and wisdom others had to
offer. He was adept at technology and always searching for new ways to use it, taking classes
and learning from anyone who was willing to teach him. He worked at improving his painting
skills, also taking classes and enjoying his hobby for countless hours at home. Milt and Doris
participated in bridge lessons hoping to master that game someday.
Throughout the years, Milt’s gardens were places to be admired. His creative eye sparkled
in every home and business he owned, with pond and waterfall projects, fruit and vegetable
gardens and beautiful landscaping.
Milt actively participated in many organizations and groups. From the 20-30 Club to Strelich
Stadium, the Bakersfield Boat Club, HEPS (Huggs, Edis, Paulden, Self), Bakersfield Racquet
Club, Stockdale Country Club, Bakersfield West Rotary, bridge groups, supporting the arts or
time with his golfing buddies, Milt’s creativity, attention to detail and sense of humor enriched
the lives of everyone he encountered. He was a gracious and humble leader and friend,
generous with his time and philanthropic involvement.
In a note discovered by family, Milt wrote, “My deep love for my family and concern for their
well-being are at the top of the list of my life’s ambitions. I have been happy if they are happy
and the happiest times of my life have been seeing the successes of my children and
grandchildren.”
Each member of Milt’s family can attest that the truth of these words are woven into the
tapestry of our lives.
Milt is survived by the love of his life, Doris, with whom he exchanged “Huggs and Kisses"
for more than 70 years; his children, Gayle Stevenson (Alan), Cheryl Saiki (Jim), and Mark
Huggs (Alyce); his grandchildren Matthew Stevenson (Bella), Ellie Grover (Ed), Peter Stevenson,
Megan Pierce (Doug), Joey Stevenson (Lauren), Molly Sowers, and Finn Huggs; great-grandchildren
Tegan and Davie Grover, and Arley, Tulip and Maple Pierce; many cousins, great-nieces
and nephews; and his special great-niece, Cynthia Farney, who took such loving care of
him in his last months, along with his large extended family.
A memorial service was held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at Hillcrest
Memorial Park followed by a lunch reception at Stockdale Country Club, Bakersfield,
California.
MILT EULOGY BY AL STEVENSON
GOOD MORNING. I’M AL STEVENSON, MILT’S SON-IN-LAW, MARRIED TO GAYLE.
ON BEHALF OF DORIS, GAYLE CHERYL, MARK, ALYCE, JIM, MILT’S GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY TO CELEBRATE MILT’S REMARKABLE LIFE.
MILT ASKED ME TO TAKE YOU ON A TRIP TODAY. NOT A PHYSICAL TRIP BUT AN 88-YEAR JOURNEYOF LOVE FOR DORIS AND HIS FAMILY, COUNTLESS MEMORIES, CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES. THE FOLLOWING WORDS WERE ALWAYS MUSIC TO MILT’S EARS:
“PLEASE PREPARE THE CABIN FOR TAKE-OFF. FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS AND BRING YOUR
SEATBACKS TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION.” MILT WAS IN “AIRPLANE MODE” MANY YEARS BEFORE IT WAS A POPULAR TERM.
HERE WE GO MILT:
MILTON OSCAR HUGGS WAS BORN IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS TO OSCAR AND VIOLA HUGGS ON NOVEMBER 29TH, 1929. HE SPENT MANY HAPPY CHILDHOOD DAYS AT THE BOYS CLUB AND IN BOY SCOUTS. AT THE AGE OF 15, MILT AND HIS MOTHER MOVED TO BAKERSFIELD WHERE HE COULD PLAY FOOTBALL AND TRACK AT EAST BAKERSFIELD HIGH.
“ACCIDENTS, CIRCUMSTANCE AND BLESSED MEANT-TO BE’S. WE ALL HAVE A STORY HOW WE
GOT TO WHERE WE ARE…… THIS NEXT CHAPTER IS TRULY A BLESSED-MEANT-TO-BE FOR MILT AND DORIS. MILT MET DORIS JEANNE O’DELL IN DRAMA CLASS DURING THEIR SENIOR YEAR. MILT WAS NOT A THESPIAN BUT HE WAS QUITE THE CHARACTER!
MILT AND DORIS WERE MARRIED ON NOVEMBER 28, 1948 AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HERE IN BAKERSFIELD. THEY WENT TO HOLLYWOOD FOR A SHORT HONEYMOON VISITING RADIO SHOWS AND RETURNED TO BAKERSFIELD TO “GET TO WORK.” THEY BOTH OBTAINED THEIR TEACHING DEGREES AND STARTED TEACHING IN BAKERSFIELD. GAYLE, CHERYL AND MARK WERE ALL BORN IN THE 50’S.
MILT TOLD ME THAT HE ENJOYED TEACHING BUT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET AHEAD IN LIFE, SO HE OPENED MILT’S COFFEE SHOP IN 1964 ON VETERAN’S DAY. 5 SPEEDING TICKETS.
HE WORKED 16 HOUR DAYS. DORIS WOULD TAKE THE KIDS TO DINNER TO SEE MILT. MILT DIDN’T LIVE FOR WORK. HE WORKED TO LIVE!
STORIES: DISCLAIMER. FINN FACT CHECKED
WAITRESSES UP ON THE GRAPEVINE REST STOP TO GIVE OUT FREE COFFEE VOUCHERS TO
TRUCKERS. HIGHWAY PATROL CAME ALONG AND TOLD HIM HE COULDN’T DO THAT ON PUBLIC
LAND. CB RADIOS. VERY EARLY SOCIAL MEDIA.
MILT WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL. INVENTORIED BUTTER PADS. KEPT HIS GYM CLOTHES ROLLED IN BUNDLES AND TUCKED IN CUBBY HOLES IN HIS CLOSET FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK.
BARTENDING AT TRAVELER’S INN. DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A MARTINI.
VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS EVENTUALLY OPERATING 3 RESTAURANTS.
DORIS KEPT TEACHING AND RAISING THEIR 3 CHILDREN WHILE HE WAS RAISING A BUSINESS.
I ASKED CHERYL IF GAYLE WAS NICE TO HER WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP? SHE SAID YES
EXCEPT WHEN GAYLE WOULDN’T LET HER IN THE BATHROOM. A WEEK LATER, I ASKED GAYLE IF MILT EVER GOT MAD. SHE SAID NOT REALY EXCEPT WHEN HE PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE BATHROOM DOOR BECAUSE SHE WOULDN’T LET CHERYL IN. CHERYL I UNDERSTAND………..
MARK SAID WHEN MILT GOT MAD AT HIM, HE JUST GAVE HIM THE “LOOK!”. 10 TIMES WORSE
THAN A TONGUE LASHING.
LOTS OF FAMILY TRIPS IN THE 1970’S TO NEWPORT BEACH, BASS LAKE, SHASTA. DORIS AND THE KIDS WOULD DRIVE AND MILT WOULD FLY UP FOR A FEW DAYS. MILT AND DORIS BOTH HAD PILOT LICENSES.
ONE OF MARK’S FAVORITE FLIGHTS WITH MILT WAS LANDING AT BASS LAKE. SHORT RUNWAY. DIP DOWN END BY LAKE. FOR HIS 21ST BIRTHDAY, MILT TOOK MARK ON A TRIP TO ST. THOMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN.
THE KIDS SKIING AT MAMMOTH…………
JIM ASKS FOR MILT’S PERMISSION TO MARRY CHERYL AND MILT SAID I THINK SHE’S OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS” FOLLOWED BY, “BUT WILL YOU STILL BE MY DOCTOR?’
CARGO PANTS AT STOCKDALE ONE OF MILT’S NOTES IN HIS OFFICE: “I HAVE A DEEP LOVE FOR MY FAMILY. THE WELL-BEING OF MY FAMILY IS AT THE TOP OF MY LIST OF LIFE’S AMBITIONS. I’M HAPPY IF THEY ARE HAPPY. THE HAPPIEST TIME OF MY LIFE HAS BEEN SEEING THE SUCCESSES OF MY CHILDREN!”
MILT AND DORIS TOOK ALL 7 OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN ON TRIPS AROUND THE WORLD, ON 4
DIFFERENT TRIPS. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GIFT!!! ALL OF US WERE FORTUNATE TO TRAVEL WITH FINN, MILT AND DORIS ON FINN’S TRIP. ALYCE HAVE A NIP!!!!!
“I WANTED TO USE TRAVEL AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD FOR MY CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN. IF I COULD HAVE LASTED A LITTLE LONGER, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD.”
DAVID BROOKS BOOK “ROAD TO CHARACTER”
BROOKS CHALLENGES US, AND HIMSELF, TO REBALANCE THE SCALES BETWEEN OUR RESUME VIRTUES, ACHIEVING WEALTH, FAME AND STATUS, AND OUR EULOGY VIRTUES- THOSE THAT EXIST AT THE CORE OF OUR BEING. REBALANCING PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RETHINK OUR PRIORITIES AND
STRIVE TO BUILD RICH INNER LIVES, MARKED BY HUMILITY AND MORAL DEPTH.
A MORAL BUCKET LIST IF YOU WILL……….
MILT WAS NOT A STUDENT OF THE BIBLE BUT I’M ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT HE HAD HIS
DOCTORATE IN THE VIRTUES OF THE BIBLE MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FRUITS OF THE
SPIRIT FOUND IN GALLATIANS 5-22:
LOVE, JOY PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS SELFCONTROL.
MILT (AND DORIS) TRULY EMBODIED ALL OF THESE BIBLICAL VIRTUES AND FOR THAT WE THANK YOU MILT AND DORIS.
AS I CLOSE, I’LL SHARE ONE MORE STORY THAT MILT LEFT US WITH US A MONTH AGO. WHILE
BEING INTERVIEWED FOR ADMISSION TO A LOCAL ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, THE NURSE ASKED MILT IF HE NEEDED ASSISTANCE WITH SHOWERING TO WHICH HE REPLIED “YES”. NEXT SHE ASKED, “HOW ABOUT DRESSING?”, TO WHICH HE REPLIED, “I LIKE RANCH.”
AS OUR JOURNEY DRAWS TO AN END TODAY, MILT’S HEAVENLY JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN. HE DOESN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TRAY TABLES, SEATBELTS, SEATBACKS OR TSA PRECHECK.
QUITE FRANKLY, HE WOULD TELL YOU HE’S NOT PARTICULARY CONCERNED ABOUT FRIDAY THE 13TH. HE IS FLYING ON THE BACKS OF MANY ANGELS, SOARING HIGH WITHOUT ANY
INSTRUMENTS. HE WILL NEVER HEAR “WE ARE BEGINNNING OUR DESCENT INTO……..
RATHER, HE HEARD FROM GOD ON MARCH 26TH “WE ARE BEGINNING YOUR ASCENT INTO THE ETERNAL HEAVENS!
SO MILT (AND DORIS), THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES. GOD BLESS YOU
MILT, GOD’S SPEED AND WE WILL MISS YOU FOREVER.
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