Milan James

Milan Elwood James was born to William E. James and Lorilla Mae Bomer James on Mat 7th 1936 in Tilden, NE. The family moved to Neligh, NE, where he attended school and graduated from Neligh High School at the age of 16 in 1953. He joined the Army Air Guard shortly after. When the Army Air Guard split into the Army and Air Force, Milan choose to join the Air Force. He then served in the Korean and Vietnam war.

Milan met the love of his life Amparo Arellano in Abilene, TX, while stationed at Dyess, AFB, TX. They married nine months later. After two years they welcomed their oldest son, William E. James in the Azores Portugal. Four years later they welcomed son, Kenneth D. James in Myrtle Beach, SC and eleven short months later welcomes daughter, Debra A. James at Dyess AFB, TX. They moved to Wichita Falls, TX, January 1968, when Milan was stationed at Shepard AFB.

During his time in the service Milan was stationed in Chynna, WY, Okinawa, Japan, Edwards AFB, CA, Korea, Iceland, Dyess AFB, TX, Shepard AFB and Vietnam. Milan retired from the United States Air Force in 1974 after 22 ½ years of service.

Milan made his family’s home in Wichita Falls, TX. He worked four years for the US Postal Service, then began a 22-year career at Howmet, retiring again in 2002.

Milan was preceded in death by his wife, Amparo Arellano James of 56 years, son, William “Billy” James at age 34, grand daughter, Kristina Michelle Perez at age 21, great grandson, Joseph Christian Choate at birth. Also, his mother and father, 5 brothers and 2 sisters.

He is survived by his sister, Helen Helsey, of Norco, CA, brother, Herbert James of Chula Vista, CA, and “Older” twin, Lyle James of Warren, MI, son, Kenneth James, daughter, Debra James, grandchildren, Courtney James Spain and husband, Brandon Sr., Sara Perez Baggs and husband, Tim, Kevin James and wife, Carolina, Great grandchildren, Lindy James and Javier, Hayden Spain, Brandon Spain Jr., LaDamion Johnson, Aiden Bailey, Michael Choate Jr., Hannah Brightman, Zachary Choate, Basillia Luna, Alexander Choate , Ian James and Joe Scruggs. He is also survived by over 160 nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Milan’s Memory to Hospice of Wichita Falls.