California after a valiant battle with cancer. Milton was raised on a farm in northwest Ohio and
as a teen his family relocated to Tucson, Arizona for his mother’s health. Milton excelled in his
education, graduating from high school and college in Tucson. As a young adult, he gave his
life to the Lord and was baptized into the Dunkard Brethren Church at the Pleasant Ridge
Congregation, which his family occasionally attended while he was a child.
Milton was ordained a minister by the Winterhaven Congregation in Cherry Valley in 1969 and
he faithfully served his congregation, district, and brotherhood over the years as a minister and
later an elder. He served on many committees and boards and supported the work of the
missions in Torreon and Kenya. Milton was the editor of the church publication, The Bible
Monitor, for 47 years until retiring due to illness. He was a fixture at District Meetings,
Conferences, and Leadership Conferences since one of his greatest joys was spending time
with the people of God.
After completing his 1W service at the county hospital in Orange, CA, Milton was employed by
the pharmacy of the University of California, Irvine, Medial Center for 39 years and retired in
2008. He was a dedicated employee and spent his years dealing with many types of drugs and
treatments. Ironically, when he retired, his main duty was to prepare IV bags with drugs for
chemotherapy and other cancer treatments..
Milton married Marilyn Moss in Dallas Center, Iowa in August 1969 on what he declared must
have been the hottest and muggiest day of the year. Their married life was spent in Southern
California where they raised their family and were involved in the community. Milton had a very
busy schedule but he was at every event that his children were involved in and he was always
interested in his grandchildren’s activities. Milton and Marilyn were leaders in the Beaumont
Friends of the Library with him serving for over 20 years as President and running their
Saturday book sales for many years.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn, of 54 years, who cared for him faithfully through life and
especially through his illness and subsequent dementia. Five children: Susan (Rudy) Manuel,
Tim (Amber) Cook, David (Tamara) Cook, Laura Cook, and Matt (Nina) Cook. Grandchildren:
Wesley (Chloe) Manuel, Nathan (Madi) Manuel, Kariena Cook, Bethany (Micaiah) Johnson,
Karissa (Landon) Myers, Tiana Manuel, Jacob Cook, Ethan Cook, John Cook, and Baylee
Cook. Great-grandsons: Knightly and Evander Johnson, and a great-granddaughter, Kinsley
Myers, due in October. One brother, Richard (Kay) Cook, survives along with sisters in law:
Esther (Marvin) Haldeman, Kate (Wilbur) Sheets, Martha (Doug) Brown, and Mary Sue Moss,
along with many nieces and nephews.
Milton is predeceased by: two infant daughters, Anita Marie and Sarah Lucinda; his parents,
Arlo and Mildred Cook and infant brother, William; In laws: Ray and Beulah Reed and Paul
Moss. Brothers in law: Leonard Moss and Jerry Moss. Sisters in law: Kay Moss and Edith
Moss.
Milton loved history, enjoyed genealogy, and left behind an extensive library of books and
research. He collected historical artifacts and was a willing repository for family heirlooms. Due
to a copious brain that remembered everything, none of the rest of us bothered to remember
anything because he could always fill in the details, dates, and a description of the event. He
greatly enjoyed family time whether it was loved ones dropping in for a few minutes, a dinner
out at his favorite Mexican restaurant, or a weekend vacation. Family weddings and events
gave him the extra drive to remain involved the past two years.
The family thanks you for your prayers, cards, and messages over the years that have shown
your love, appreciation, and care. We also acknowledge the tireless dedication of our sister
Laura to Dad’s care and well-being through the challenging times knowing that our mom would
not have been able to keep him at home without her help.
The funeral was held July 23rd at Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California with Bro. Mark
Cordrey officiating. Burial was at Mountain View Cemetery in Beaumont.
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