WESLEY JOHN MILTON III

Wesley John Milton III, 61, died May 9, 2004, at his home in Palmer, in the company of his mother, Margaret (Pegge) McDonald.

A visitation will be today, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kehl's Palmer Mortuary. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Pastor Glenn Suiter of Valley Harvest Church of Palmer will officiate.

Mr. Milton was born Sept. 9, 1942, in San Francisco, Calif., to Wesley John and Margaret (Allworth) Milton.

He graduated from Cordova High School. After high school he served in the U.S. Army from 1960-63.

He graduated from Cal State University San Francisco with a bachelor degree in business administration/marketing. From 1974-76 he was assistant director of business operations for Alaska state-operated school systems. From 1977-86 he was a real estate broker and business consultant for Whitehall Realty in Wasilla and Eagle Point, Ore.

From 1986-89 he was industries manager for the Alaska Department of Corrections. He served as president and CEO of CMC services in Medford, Ore., from '89-'92. From 1994-98 he served as general office and facilities manager for Musician's Friend Inc. of Medford.

For the past four years

he had volunteered at Group Health Hospital in Seattle, Wash., for two full days per week.

His family came to Anchorage when he was 4 years old then moved to Cordova one year later.

He was preceded in death by his father Wesley John Milton II in October 2003.

He returned to Alaska in Jan. 2004, to comfort his mother and help her in recovery from surgery.

His family said, "Wes' (or Johnny as some of us knew him) life-long love of the water, his family, his friends and of his music will leave a gaping hole in the lives of the many who loved him."

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Margaret (Pegge) and Roger McDonald, of Palmer; sons Robert Milton of Center Point, Ore., and Timothy Milton of Eagle Point; brothers Mike Milton of Renton, Wash., William Rogers Christensen and Kelly Michael Christensen of Palmer; and by his sisters Patricia Sarles of Kent, Wash., Bonnie Mosley of Renton, Peggelee Hendra of Germany, and Shelia Marie McDonald of Palmer; and stepmother Colleen Milton of Renton.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.