Charles Milligan Obituary

Charles Gordon "Gordy" Milligan, 95, most recently of Arvada, Colo., died Tuesday, July 8, 2014, in the Life Care Center Evergreen, in Evergreen, Colo. Gordy lived in Cortez from 1976 to 2012, when health issues forced him to live near family in the Denver area.

A memorial service will be held in Cortez on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church.

In support of life, Gordy made arrangements in 2005 to donate his body to advance medicine through Science Care.

Gordy was born Aug. 3, 1918, in McCook, Neb., to Charles Thomas and Ida (Gordon) Milligan. He graduated from McCook High School, and McCook College, and attended The University of Nebraska, one quarter short of being awarded a zoology degree.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps deployed in the Pacific Theater on the Island of Saipan.

His most recent position was at Manaugh Elementary, where he enjoyed being a para-professional as a Senior Citizen. Prior to that, he was Director of Supportive Services at Southwest Memorial Hospital.

Gordon was a longtime activist in volunteerism; he simply lived to serve the community and his fellow man. His work in the Red Cross as an instructor lasted over 30 years. He loved Lions Club, and was a devoted Master Mason and Shriner. Among many awards, he was recognized in 1983 by being given the Dr. Thomas F. Frist Humanitarian Award.

He was proceeded in death by his father, mother, and two sisters, Virginia Pankow, of Northglenn, Colo., and Julia Martin, of McCook, Neb., and grandson Daniel O'Brien, of Cook, Neb. His family survivors include his three children, Becky Arndt, of Grand Island, Neb. Kay Bantam, of Lincoln, Neb., and Mark Milligan, of Evergreen, Colo., 7 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Shriner's Hospitals for Children by sending a check to: Al Kaly Shriners, P.O. Box 193, Pueblo, CO 81002, or go to: www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.