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F. James Milan

1922 - 2023

F. James Milan obituary, 1922-2023, Fort Worth, TX

FUNERAL HOME

Greenwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park

3100 White Settlement Road

Fort Worth, Texas

F. Milan Obituary

F. James Milan
January 6, 1922 - April 29, 2023
Fort Worth, Texas - Fredrick James Milan died peacefully on April 29, 2023, at the age of 101. Born to Fred James Milan and Josephine Rehmann Milan on Jan. 6, 1922 in Clinton, Iowa, Jim lived in Clinton until he joined the Army in December of 1942. Because of his eyesight, he was classified as limited-service, and spent much of his wartime service playing in several different Army bands. Jim had played the trumpet since age 7, and had become an accomplished jazz and big band musician. At the end of the war, he was assigned to his favorite Army band, playing at the Naval Pier in Manhattan for the troop ships returning from Europe after the German surrender.
After the war, Jim was invited by an Army bandmate to join a band playing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fronted by a young singer, Patti Page. Also while in Tulsa, he played with Leon McAullife and his Western Swing Band, and was featured on several of their recordings. While playing, he enrolled at the University of Tulsa, as did two of his childhood friends. While at Tulsa, he met the beautiful Rosanne Matofsky. They married in June of 1948. Jim accepted a job with Continental Oil Company, which took them first to Ponca City, Oklahoma, and soon to Fort Worth. They made Fort Worth their home, and happily raised their two children there until Rosanne died in 1969. Jim worked for Conoco for 37 years.
While building a career in the oil business, he never left music far behind. Beginning in 1951, he played with all of the premier dance bands in Fort Worth, primarily with Curly Broyles. Another of Jim's favorite band jobs was the 10 years he played with Lew Gillis in the Fort Worth Stock Show rodeo band. Both Curly and Lew became life-long friends of Jim's. He often played for events like the Ice Capades or the Miss Texas pageant as well.
In 1972, Jim married his devoted wife of more than 50 years, Karen Mortensen Thompson, blending their families. Together they were very active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From 1982 to 1986, Jim was Bishop of the Fort Worth 6th Ward, a position that he was honored to hold. In the early 1990's, they accepted a mission role in Lowell, MA for a year. They also shared their love of music by hosting contestants for the Cliburn Piano Competition, starting in 1992 and continuing for six cycles of the competition. All six of their competitors were from Soviet countries - Romania, Georgia, Armenia, and three from Russia. They followed the careers of their competitors with enthusiasm, and several have visited them in Fort Worth when playing in the area.
In 2009, when he was 87, Karen asked if there were anything that he had not yet done that he hoped to do. He told her of a musician from the 1920's, Matty Matlock, who had developed a different style of Dixieland jazz, one that Jim had always admired. Spurred by this conversation, Jim sought out some of the original Matlock arrangements. Once a few of the charts were in his hands, it was a short leap to collecting 10 of the most talented musicians in the North Texas area to play them with him. Thus, the Jim Milan Bucket List Jazz Band was born. They began playing first at Live Oak, then at Shipping and Receiving, and most recently at Tulips. The band has developed a large and devoted following who fill the hall every time they play. The fans were especially enthusiastic watching Jim play on his 100th birthday, and then again on his 101st. He played every gig with the same enthusiasm, talent, and joy that he had brought to his music for his entire life.
Jim was a loving and devoted husband and father, a beloved Gramps and a cherished great-grandfather. He was a talented and passionate musician, a life-long golfer, an avid baseball fan, a cornerstone member of his church, but above all he was the absolute apple of his family's eye. Jim was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and his wife Rosanne. He is survived by his wife Karen, son Jim Milan and wife Mary, daughter Leslie Johnson and husband Dan, granddaughter Bethany Johnson Dylewski and husband Drew, granddaughter Kimberly Johnson Burt and husband Randy, great-grandchildren Caroline and Kate Dylewski, and Cecelia and Cross Burt, step-son Kevin Thompson and wife Patsy, and step-daughter Elizabeth Thompson and partner Mary Schmidt.
The family wants to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for the loving care they provided in his last weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Jim Milan Endowed Jazz Fund at the University of Texas at Arlington, Box 660194, Dallas 75266, or to a charity of choice.
There will be a private family burial. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM Monday, May 8, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fort Worth Stake Center, 5001 Altamesa Blvd.

Published by Star-Telegram on May 7, 2023.
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6 Entries

It was my pleasure to play trombone along side Jim in the Bucket List Band on several occasions. He was a complete gentleman and his musicianship was beyond reproach: for anyone, not just someone approaching 100. What a loss to music and humanity

Bob Burnham

Work

May 13, 2023

Spent many days at nights at Mr. Milan´s house when I was in elementary school; son Jim and I playing fake Beatles in front of a mirror. I saw senior Jim some 40 years later in a parking lot. He knew he I was and we spoke of find memories for a good while. The man was a model of character and integrity. Much love and Depp condolences to his friends and family.

Mark Caywood

May 10, 2023

I just love Jim Milan! I loved him when I was a child growing up in Fort Worth. I enjoyed volunteering with him for a few years at the Dallas Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was in my 20's. I live out of state now, but my dad and I were able to attend a couple of his live band shows when I was visiting. Jim had the most remarkable way with people. I always admired that about him. It's hard to believe he is gone now! Until we meet again, my dear friend!

Paula Malone

Friend

May 8, 2023

What an amazing human being! So full of life happiness humor and a positive attitude. A man of great faith and love of wife family and the Savior Jesus Christ. We were blessed to know this amazing man. Heaven is blessed to have you Jim. You and Gabriel will be playing your horns.

Peter & Vicki Svendsen

Family

May 8, 2023

Jim Milan is one of my very favorite people! I say "is," because I know he still exists as a spirit who has left his mortal body behind for a time. My husband Chuck and I have known Jim since the mid 1970s, when as newlyweds we moved to Fort Worth for Chuck's newly-acquired job at General Dynamics. We have adored Jim & Karen and enjoyed immensely our friendship with them from the first time we met. They have always been delightfully amiable and pleasant and just plain fun to be with. Since I am something of a musician myself, over the years I have had some very interesting conversations with Jim regarding various musical things. I cherish those conversations! I also enjoyed learning from Jim & Karen about the Cliburn Piano Competition competitors they hosted, since I was an avid follower of the Cliburn Competition for many years. Meanwhile, I was just in awe at Jim's ability to play jazz, which he had a special gift for and I definitely do not. I loved watching him play with his friends in Milans' back yard on special occasions and also when we attended Bucket List Jazz Band gigs. He will certainly be missed. I hope to connect with him when I pass to the other side -- but the line of those wanting to talk with him will probably be long, and I'll probably have to wait awhile. :-)

Carol Malone

Friend

May 8, 2023

I have great admiration for Jim and Karen! they always supported people of the Church with kindness and grace! I had a chance to help them with their phone issues, while at their house, I sat and talked with Jim and he treated me as a life long friend with wisdom in our conversation I learned much and wished for more interaction! Since I worked for the phone company, he asked me to combine sections of the Stake center with the same number, thus saving the Church money in the idea! He and his wife are simply, wonderful, smart, graceful, kind people! and in my book, that is the highest achievement on earth! I will miss him dearly!

Jim Frank Wagley

Friend

May 7, 2023

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Memorial Events
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May

8

Memorial service

1:30 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fort Worth Stake Center

5001 Altamesa Blvd, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Greenwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park

3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107

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