Dr. James Edward Milner, 70, of Tifton passed away Friday, June 7, 2024, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. A memorial service will be held for Dr. Milner at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Tifton's First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chip Grantham officiating. Dr. Milner will be laid to rest at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Shelley, Harry Shelley, Mike Shelley, Matthew Shelley, Sam Milner, Logan Milner, J.R. Booth, Santosh Kiorala, Zach Hail, Charlie Taylor, Joe Kunes, Frank Jones, MD and Brent Savelli, MD.
Born July 21, 1953, in Aurora, Colorado, Dr. Milner was the son of the late Roger Ross Milner and Ardele Johnson Milner. He was also preceded in death by one grandson, Everhett Ronald-James Milner; and one sister, Beverly Milner Booth. He was an oncologist and director of Tift Regional Medical Center (Southwell) Oncology Center; and he was of the Methodist faith.
Jim was born into a military family, living in many locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico throughout his early life. An accomplished musician, Jim played with the Allman Brothers Band as well as others after graduation from high school until serving as a corporal in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1971-1973. Following his military service, he attended Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree after which he received his Medical Doctorate and a fellowship in Hematology and Oncology from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Dr. Milner is survived by his wife, Martha Shelley Milner of Tifton; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Sam Milner, Logan and Chrys Kirby Milner, all of Tifton; two daughters, Hayley Milner of Tifton and Emmalee Milner of Valdosta; one brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Pam Milner of Dawson; and one granddaughter, Elizah Jane Milner of Tifton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Tifton's First United Methodist Church, 107, West 12th Street, Tifton, Ga 31794.