James Paul Milton

August 1, 1935 to February 2, 2018

Jim passed away peacefully with his wife Peggy by his side on February 2, 2018.

Jim and his family moved to Atlanta from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee after World War II. Jim attended R.L. Hope School, went to Baylor School for three years, attended North Fulton, and graduated from Northside High School in Atlanta. He spent one year at the University of Georgia and then completed his degree at Oglethorpe University. The Oglethorpe Athletic Director appointed Jim to head the intramural program. Jim also was a member of the Annual staff, Business Manager of the Literary magazine, a member of Circle K, and was the President of the Toastmaster Speech Club. He was elected to the Blue Key Honor fraternity and the Oglethorpe University student body elected him to be one of five male members of the Lord and Lady Oglethorpe Court. Jim received the MacConnell Award for Senior Leadership and played on the Oglethorpe tennis team and tennis remained a passion for the rest of his life. Jim and Peggy supported the Milton Scholarship of Oglethorpe University, and a scholarship was awarded each year beginning in 1978.

When Jim graduated from college his parents told him he would be given 50 shares of Sears stock for a graduation present, and he decided to sell the shares and go to Europe for a 60 day visit. His dad helped him book a passage on a student-teacher ship for $139. The first night out, he and a roommate (a Harvard man named Marty) went to the large lounge to look over the other travelers and he spotted a slender, blue-eyed blonde and immediately went over to her to introduce himself. Thirteen months later he married this woman, Margaret Jane Russell, and she became his life companion.

Jim set out to visit multiple countries where he traveled by train, auto, bus and hitchhiking. He had a drink at the U. S. Embassy in London, visited Napoleon’s tomb, the Vatican and the Roman Colosseum. He made a great friend in Rome named Pietro Traversi who steered him around Rome. Jim also visited Brussels, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Holland.

Jim returned to the United States on a ship out of Amsterdam and it happened that Peggy was also on that ship and they had a lot of time to get to know each other better. Jim and Peggy kept in touch while he completed his military tour.

In 1958 Jim went to work for Sears Roebuck and Company and Jim and Peggy were married in August of that year. They spent some time in Florida, Virginia and Alabama before coming back to Georgia.

While living in Warner Robins Jim became very active in the community. He became the President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Rotary Club, President of the American Heart Association Chapter (also served on the Georgia State Board), President of the 3,800 member Air Force Association, Finance Chair for the Salvation Army, Vice Chairman of the Middle Georgia Technical College, served on the Local and Regional United Way Board, was a Director of the local and Regional C & S Bank, raised money and awareness for the Special Olympics and served on the City Planning and Zoning Commission. He had fond memories of his involvement while demonstrating his deep belief in giving back to the community.

Jim took an early retirement from Sears after 35 years and made the decision later to relocate to Big Canoe in North Georgia. Jim and Peggy moved to Big Canoe and enjoyed their new home, the Big Canoe Chapel, the Big Canoe Tennis Center, the Big Canoe Fitness Center and the community and made many incredible friendships. Jim became involved and was elected President of the Jasper Rotary Club and was appointed to the Planning Commission in Pickens County, served on the local Heart Association Board and was elected to the Homeowners Association Board, the Property Owners Association, supported the local Special Olympics program and became actively involved on the Board of Hope House of North Georgia for 15 years.

Jim was a lifelong Presbyterian and was a Rotarian for over 40 years. Jim became part of a Rotary Friendship exchange to India and traveled there and visited many projects to assist however he could. Jim also traveled to South Korea to speak at a Rotary Group Exchange District Conference and the team was taken to many historical sites and enjoyed staying with families while there.

Jim and Peggy have a daughter Georgia who is the CEO of Special Olympics Georgia, a son in law Bill and granddaughter Molly. Jim always told Bill that his only failing was that he liked golf more than tennis. Jim had a close connection to his granddaughter Molly which he treasured.

Jim loved his wife, his family, his friends and his great country that shines so brightly compared to the 40 countries he visited in his lifetime.

Jim is survived by his wife Peggy Milton, his daughter Georgia Sheats, his son in law Bill Sheats, his granddaughter Molly Sheats, his sister Anne Thompson, his brother Bob Milton, his sister in law Sylvia Roseen, his sister in law Martha Milton, his brother in law James Molloy, his sister in law Bettie Russell, cousin, Dr. Paul Ferguson and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Special Olympics Georgia, 6046 Financial Drive, Norcross, GA 30071 or Hope House, P.O. Box 651, Jasper, GA 30143.

A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, February 10th at 11am at the Chapel at Big Canoe. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support.