James Herbert Milligan

Jim was born Dec. 1, 1933, in Wichita, Kan. The family moved to California where he began his education in a one-room schoolhouse. He attended Huntington Beach Union High School, where he played drums in the marching band, and then attended the University of Southern California.

An excellent swimmer, Jim played water polo in high school and college. He won medals in breaststroke and butterfly, and worked as a lifeguard at Huntington Beach.

Jim was active in the oil and gas business in Oklahoma and Texas, and had varied business interests as reflected in his resume: Stonebridge Development in Oklahoma City, Limited Edition Countertop Company, Channel 34 in Oklahoma City (he helped start the TV station), Satellite Ticket Agency, DeVille Motor Hotel and Diamond Jim’s nightclub, Country Kitchen Restaurant in Norman, owner of First National Bank of Yukon, and owner of Milligan’s Bar & Grill in La Jolla, Calif.

Jim was a wonderful cook – everyone loved his barbeque ribs. He graduated from Peter Kump Basic Technique Cooking School in New York City, and later wrote a cookbook.

He learned to play the organ and enjoyed playing his favorite tunes on a Hammond. He was renowned for his “gut bucket” expertise.

Jim enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, camping, traveling, and playing cards. He once drew a royal flush at Caribbean stud poker. Jim especially enjoyed ocean traveling on his yacht, The Darsong, taking her up and down the West Coast.

Jim was one of the first trustees of the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation where he served for 50 years. He served on the board of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the Salk Institute in San Diego, the symphonies in Oklahoma City and San Diego, and Mayflower Congregational Church. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of The Shrine, as well as the Oklahoma City Home Builders Association, the Century Club in San Diego, La Jolla Country Club, and the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

Jim married Darlene LeBard on Feb. 8, 1953. He began his married life on the family cattle ranch in Whitesboro, Texas, and the two would spend 70 years together as husband and wife. He is survived by Darlene and their children: Jil (Tony) Boghetich, Mike (Tish) Milligan, Patti (Trevor) Daniel), Merry (Mark) Knowles and Margie (Rick) John. James also had 12 grandchildren and more than 25 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Raul Rea, who helped Jim with daily living for more than 40 years.

Services will be held in Oklahoma City at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at tinyurl.com/JamesHMilligan for the Milligan family. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He was our blessing and our love.