Jim L. Mildon

I'm not doing the best job of writing your obituary at the moment, but you were the most incredible man I've ever known. You were the best father and my best friend. I was the son you never had, and as such, we rode motocross motorcycles, I became a boxer because we loved the sport - later I realized you wanted me to have self-defense skills – you’re a sneaky guy. I loved Trans Ams and you got one and then when I turned 16, I bought one with the money I saved. I remember how we would chase each other down winding roads, spin doughnuts in abandoned fields. One time, with our twin Trans Ams, we got twin speeding tickets. Do you remember how we perplexed a police officer who could scarcely understand a father who would train his daughter to know how to drive quickly down a twisty road? You forbade me from telling mom about it - no need for us both to suffer her wrath.

Remember when I graduated high school and went to England to study? I would call home and all my friends would be at the house. That's the kind of parents you and mom were - I wasn't even in the country and everyone would head over to watch movies, play card games and backgammon with you guys. My friends always felt safe and had fun when you were around. They even went to concerts with you to see your favorite - Neil Diamond.

Dad, you were always up for adventure and as a journalist could talk to anyone. You found everyone fascinating and made friends with the most unlikely people. You were an incredible guy and the best dad EVER!

You were born in San Francisco on the fifth day of 1936, to James Lee Mildon, Sr. and Jeannette Balandras Mildon. You served in the Army and the Air Force what an overachiever. As a photojournalist, you wrote for many magazines, but the one got me extra credit in high school was when you wrote for MAD Magazine. You had an amazing career, even serving as a professor at the University of Nevada at Reno.

Y

ou will be deeply missed by me and your granddaughters, Marie and Ioanna, as well as countless friends and colleagues.

With all my love, your daughter,

Laura

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the Mildon family.