John David Milligan

John David Milligan, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2017 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was the devoted husband of the late Joan Perkins Milligan, his beloved wife of 65 years. He is survived by one son and three daughters and their spouses, David & Sandra Raak Milligan of Port Charlotte, Florida; Susan & John Walker of Richmond, Virginia; Julie & David Jones of Fernandina Beach, Florida and Nancy & Bedford Bradley of Atlanta, Georgia. His family includes a total of nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

John was born in 1928 in Washington, Pennsylvania to Mildred A. Hayden and John D. Milligan, Sr. where he enjoyed rural life growing up with two brothers, Harry and Richard.

After graduating from high school, John served in the U.S. Navy for two years, based in Chicago. Following honorable discharge, John obtained a degree in chemistry at Bucknell University.

John married his high school sweetheart on September 6, 1950. After college John was recruited by DuPont Corporation in Martinsville, Virginia where his first child was born. He was soon transferred to Chattanooga, Tennessee where his three daughters were born, and later completed his 30-year career with DuPont back in Martinsville. John was very active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as elder and singing in the choir. Along with Joan, he instilled in his children the eternal love, grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

John's passions included making friends, traveling, hiking, and outdoor activities. With family and a trailer in tow, he and Joan conducted many camping excursions around the United States. Summer vacations usually included a trip to the beach. John was a Boy Scout leader for eleven years during which his son achieved the rank of eagle.

After their children graduated from college, John and Joan moved to Orlando, Florida, subsequently retiring to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. In their later years, they enjoyed cruising all over the world, returning home to enjoy the seasonal climate and close friendships of Fairfield Glade. In 2013 Joan and John moved to Punta Gorda, Florida to be closer to family. They were members of First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda. Lately, John remained a loving and devoted care-giver to his wife Joan as she battled and lost the fight to cancer, preceding him in passing by 18 months.

A Memorial Service will be held on May 15, 2017 with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and service to begin at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org/flgulfcoast/ or First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, www.fpcpunta.org