Mark Milam

A Celebration of Life for John Mark Milam, 74, of Shreveport, LA will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am-11:00 am in the Church Parlor with the service following at 11:00 am in Worship Center North, officiated by Dr. John Sullivan and Dr. Larry Williams. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston, LA.

Mark was born in Ruston, LA, on February 3, 1950, and died in Shreveport, LA, Thursday, December 26, 2024, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He grew up in Ruston, where he graduated from Ruston High School and then earned a degree in Business Marketing from his beloved Louisiana Tech University. There he met, on a blind date, Judy Chrisman, and married his lifelong friend in 1972.

Mark had a faith journey that began early in life, professing Jesus as his Lord and Savior at age 10. He served God in high school at First Baptist Church in Ruston as RA Leader and basketball coach, as a summer missionary in college, part-time youth director at Southside Baptist Church in Ruston, and as a joyful servant at Broadmoor Baptist Church for 45 years. He sang in the church choir for a time, taught middle schoolers (his great love) for 40+ years, assisted as “fishing instructor” at Camp Bethany for many summers, established and directed the golf-cart ministry, and was honored to serve as a Deacon at Broadmoor Baptist Church. He was a member of The Gideons International and loved distributing Bibles. He leaves a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and desired more than anything for his children and grandchildren, and the young people he taught, to stand firm in faith, no matter the circumstances. He wanted them to know that while they wait for heaven, God has a good purpose for them right here in this chaotic world filled with lost souls longing for the kind of love, acceptance, and purpose they will find only in Christ Jesus.

Mark was a true “entrepreneur”. His first real jobs were at Ruston State Bank, then at Louisiana Machinery in Bossier City as a field rep for the Caterpillar Company. He owned several businesses throughout his years of work, always enjoying the out of doors rather than an office. He retired in 2016 after selling his final business, Milam Outdoor Advertising. He served his community in the Kiwanis Club and as a Caddo Parish School Board Member for twelve years representing District 9, serving as President of the Board two terms.

Throughout his life he loved traveling to Yellowstone National Park and worked there every summer during high school, returning multiple times with Judy to see the beauty of “God’s Thumbprint”.

Mark was a proud father to children, Sarah Beth Harrington and son, Cade Milam. He was an energetic grandfather who found joy in being Pop and Pop Pop to Cole and Patrick Harrington, Gracie and Benjamin Milam.

Mark was preceded in death by his much-loved parents, Don and Hazel Milam. Left to cherish his memory is his faithful wife of 52 years, Judy Chrisman Milam; daughter Sarah Harrington, and her sons Cole and Patrick Harrington of Little Rock AR; son Cade Milam, wife Jessica and their children Gracie and Ben Milam of Greenwood LA. Mark is also survived by his well-loved siblings; sisters Cindy Singleton and husband Jerry, Homer, LA and Kay Milam of The Woodlands, TX; brother Paul Milam and wife Dana, Siloam Springs, AR; sister-in-law Sharon Gammill of Oak Grove LA and brother-in-law Joe Chrisman and wife Linda of Walker LA; numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins he counted as friends. He also leaves many life-long friends he cherished.

The family requests any memorials be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 4110 Youree Dr., Shreveport LA 71105, designated for Missions or the Church Library, and The Gideons International Association.

Special thanks to the dedicated nurses and CNA’s at the Glen Memory Care Cottages, The North Pavilion Skilled Nurse Care Center at The Oaks and Bristol Hospice NW Louisiana. The love and attention they gave Mark will always be appreciated by the family.

*If you have a favorite memory or story about Mark, please share with the family, on his website under the obituary. Click on add a memory. These comments will be printed for the family and made into a book to be read and cherished.