Carl Milsted

SWANSBORO - Carl Stephen Milsted, 75, passed into eternal life with the Lord on April, 23, 2010, at his home in Swansboro.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Swansboro United Methodist Church.

Carl was born in Swansboro on May 1, 1934, to Edgar Milsted and Ruby Ward Milsted. He was a graduate of Swansboro High School and the Oak Ridge Military Academy, where he was nominated for the Morehead Scholarship. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned both graduate and postgraduate degrees. After attaining his Bachelors degree in Business Administration, he went to Chapel Hill's prestigious law school and earned his law degree before embarking on a very successful career as a lawyer and politician. While establishing himself in private practice, he ran for mayor of Swansboro and won three consecutive terms, serving as mayor from 1961 to 1967. He then co-founded the law firm of Warlick, Milsted and Dotson in Jacksonville in 1967, in which he was a partner until his retirement in 2009. During the course of his 50–year career in law, he also served as Swansboro's town attorney from 1961 to 1983 and founded the North Carolina Autism Society.

Upon his all too brief retirement, he returned to his family home in his beloved hometown of Swansboro. He often commented on how returning to his roots and living along the water was like Heaven on Earth to him. He could often be seen basking in the serenity of his front porch, peacefully watching the boats sail by on Ward's Shore.

Carl's success and accomplishments in life extended to so much more just his career. He was a loving husband and best friend to his wife of 35 years, Mary Ann McKeon Milsted. He was a devoted father to two sons, Carl Milsted Jr. of Kenly and Edgar Milsted of Virginia; and four daughters, Cathy Hoang of Virginia, Susanna Milsted of Kinston, Shannon Stilla of Massachusetts and Margaret Melton of Jacksonville. His dear sister was Carrie Freshwater; and his nieces were Debbie Polvino, Carla Buckhold, Ruby Williams and Jennifer Shugart. His nephews were John Freshwater and David Fisher; and he was also "Poppy" to eight grandchildren. Also dear to him was his sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Fisher. His mother-in-law, Margaret McKeon, who shared a home with him and his wife for many years, was a very special part of his life as well.

Carl was a man of kindness and compassion who spent his life in selfless devotion and service to others. The world has lost a true Southern Gentleman.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010, at Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville.