Cecil Jerome Milton's Obituary
Cecil Jerome Milton, 84, died peacefully on October 2, 2014, at The Pines in Davidson, NC.
Cecil was born February 24, 1930 in Albemarle, NC. He was the only child of Julia Gladys Jerome Milton and Cecil Edwin Milton. He was an Eagle Scout, and graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1952. He completed pre-med training with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, although his favorite subject was history. He was captain of the swim and tennis teams, both winning Southern Conference championships while he was a member. He was named All-American for the 220 and 440-yard freestyle events in 1950. At graduation he won the Patterson Medal, the top athletic honor given at UNC, for athletic accomplishment, sportsmanship and leadership.
Decades later, his cardiothoracic surgeon would tell him he had an unusually large heart from all the swimming, but those who knew and loved him would say his heart was enlarged because of his kindness and compassion, which served him well in his career as an orthopedic surgeon. He graduated from Bowman Grey School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in 1956, and interned at Jeff Davis Hospital in Houston, TX, Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC and at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Philadelphia, PA.
Cecil then served for two years as a physician and Lieutenant Commander at the Beaufort, SC Naval Hospital. He described this time as the “easiest years I ever had. Good pay, good benefits, great company.” He met the love of his life, Mary Sue Mock Milton, a Major in the Marine Corps, when their teams bowled against each other in the Officer’s Bowling League at Parris Island. They were soon married in the Marine Corps chapel on December 1, 1962, which he later said was his greatest accomplishment.
The Miltons moved to Charlotte, N.C. in 1963, where Cecil practiced orthopedics until his retirement in 1995, including serving as Chief of Staff at Presbyterian Hospital and Chief of Surgery at Mercy Hospital. He didn’t miss a day of work in 40 years. Cecil and Mary Sue were members of Charlotte Country Club for 30 years and members of Myers Park Presbyterian Church from 1964 until they moved to The Pines at Davidson in 2008. A church retreat led them to Montreat, NC, where they purchased a home, and enjoyed many summers, long weekends, and about half the year after his retirement.
Cecil was a distinguished, down-to-earth gentleman and a kind, patient, and loving father to his three children: Tom Milton (Stuart) and Susan Moriceau (Laurent) of Charlotte, and Julia Corley (Kent) of Hillsborough, NC. He was a sweet and proud grandfather to his six grandchildren; Maggie, Frazer, Jack, and Bill Milton, and Ben and Will Moriceau.
He was grateful for the many friendships he made over the years, including the amazing community at The Pines, where he loved to watch sports, read, attend classes and enjoy a nice Manhattan on Sunday nights.
Cecil and Mary Sue’s children wish to thank the staffs of The Pines at Davidson and Hospice of Lake Norman for their loving, caring kindness for both of our parents.
There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Cecil’s life in the Living Room at The Pines at Davidson on Monday, October 6 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Pines Resident Support Fund, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036, or the Mountain Retreat Association, PO Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757.
http://www.thepinesatdavidson.org/support_contact_us.php
http://www.montreat.org/give/donate/
Arrangements have been made by James Funeral Home, and Cecil’s ashes will join Mary Sue’s in a private ceremony at the Montreat Memorial Garden later this year. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
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