George E. Milke

“Bud”

May 14, 1927- April 18, 2017

George E. Milke, more affectionately known as Bud or Coach, (Buddy to his sisters, brother and many nieces and nephews), passed peacefully on April 18, 2017 just one-month shy of his 90th birthday. Proud son of Dr. George and Marion Milke of Antigo, Wisconsin he attended St. John’s Elementary School, Antigo High School, served proudly in the United States Army while stationed in Germany and then graduated from his beloved San Diego State University.

Bud was preceded in death (2014) by his beautiful and loving wife Ginny of 61 years and daughter Barbara in 1966 along with seven siblings: Doris, Jane, Bea, Jewel, Joyce, Marilyn and Robert. He is survived by his five children: George (Jeanine), Michael, Steven (Maureen), Mary (Bruce) and Patricia. Bud and Ginny cherished their 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Bud was a fraternity member of Omega Xi at SDSU and excelled in football and basketball, a very rare commodity back then. He began his teaching, coaching and counseling career first at Southwest Junior High School, then Mar Vista HS, Castle Park HS and concluding what he called “a vocation – not a profession” at Southwestern Community College, 41 years’ total. He was blessed with having the privilege, embraced the responsibility and appreciated the intrinsic rewards of being able to hopefully provide a positive influence on so many young men, women and colleagues whether it be in the classroom, the football field or basketball court. From Bud’s own account, those he taught, coached, mentored and worked with, please know that you all had a profound impact on him and he felt so very blessed!

Bud and Ginny provided such a caring, fun and loving home. All five children attended St. Rose of Lima and were raised in the Catholic Faith. Bud was a Knight of Columbus / Mass Usher for many years while Ginny volunteered countless hours at St. Rose. They were adventuresome in their younger years taking their five little ones along to Baja, Disneyland annually, the Cuyamaca’s for family picnics, the Silver Strand for Milke family barbeques and Aunt Shirley’s for pool parties. During the summer months it was off to the Strand every day as soon as Bud returned home from teaching summer school. It was “sandlot and then some” on Corte Maria Ave. Upon retiring, Bud and Ginny would spend the summers in Minnesota on Woman Lake, with kids and grandkids coming back for canoeing in the Northern Boundary Waters with Aunt Jewel and Uncle Joe.

Bud’s favorite quote from Grantland Rice: “When that One Great Scorer comes to write before your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.” He instilled that belief within his children, his grandchildren, his students and his players. Bud, you played the game of life with passion, dignity, honor, and a deep love for Faith, Family and Friends. God bless you for all the good you have done for others, Vaya con Dios!

Services will take place on Friday, April 28th at St. Rose of Lima Parish at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to: Milke Family Scholarship, c/o Mater Dei Catholic HS, 1615 Mater Dei Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91913.