Fred W. Milam

Fred Milam Obituary

Fred W. Milam OCEANSIDE -- Fred was born on December 6, 1918 in Carlisle, Indiana, and passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2009. He grew up in the small town of Merom, Indiana and graduated from the high school with a class of 21 students. He later received his college degree from Indiana State. He epitomized the characters in Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation." A Number 2 draftee in Sullivan County, he chose to join the Army Air Corps and become a pilot. His flight school class graduated the month of Pearl Harbor, and early in 1942, he was sent on a US Mission to China. His overseas assignment was completed as a B24 combat pilot, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, plus three Air Medals. On May 11, 1943, he married Lois Pleasant and they became the proud parents of three sons. Surviving him are his wife, Lois; sons, David and wife Carol, Stephen and wife Terry, and Jeffrey and wife Linnea; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Fred left his military career in 1947 as a Lieutenant Colonel after developing a keen interest in the helicopter industry. As Commanding Officer of the Air Rescue Unit at March Air Field, Calif., he was assigned two helicopters, testing the feasibility of their use in rescues. His entire career was spent in the helicopter industry, first as an executive at Los Angeles Airways in Passenger Service, and then in the heavy-lift industry at Carson Helicopters. As a resident in Oceanside since 1982, Fred was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and the Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary. Memorial services will be held at 10a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2001 S. El Camino Real, Oceanside. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to Tri-City Auxiliary Scholarships, or the Hospice of North Coast. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

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Published by North County Times from Sep. 1 to Sep. 2, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Fred Milam

6 Entries

Norman Larson

September 17, 2009

It has been a pleasure to have Mr. Helicopter, Fred Milam, as part of my life. He was always such an informed and interesting person to talk with and a man of integrity.

The Old Shoe

Gail Edwards

September 12, 2009

Lois, We are sorry to hear about Fred. My cousin, Elaine, sent us the obituary from the Sullivan paper. We certianly enjoyed our few times we met you and Fred in Oceanside. Please keep in touch and God Bless. Gail and Kathleen Edwards.

Jeanine Arthur

September 7, 2009

Aunt Lois, we love you very much and our prayers are with you and the rest of the family. Uncle Fred will be missed.

Connie Wesner

September 4, 2009

Lois and Family. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers during this time. We have such fond memories and Uncle Fred-both from our visits there and your visits home. I always felt so comfortable around him as a child, as did our boys, and felt so respected as an adult. Brian appreciated and benefitted so much from his talks with Uncle Fred, not to mention their "sport". To my cousins, you have so much to guide you the rest of your lives, and to Aunt Lois, he was quite a fella--something many don't experience in a lifetime. We love you all. Connie Lou and Brian and family

Connie Wesner

September 4, 2009

Lois and family. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers during this time. Uncle Fred was one of a kind. As a child, I seemed to always take to him and he was so good with our children too. Our visits with Fred and Lois have always been the highlights of our trips out west. I have such fond memories of their trips back here too. To the sons, you have much to guide you the rest of your lives. And to Lois, she had a really special fella-a rarity to many. Wouldn't we have enjoyed knowing all of their (mother, daddy, Lois and Fred) escapades in their younger days --I have a feeling that Aunt Lois will never tell! Love you all and think of you often. Connie Lou, Brian and Family

Nancy Tomey

September 3, 2009

Lois, Dave, Steve and Jeff. Bob and I are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Fred was a great person and very influential in my life. I always looked forward to his visits and his conversations (many of which were hand gestures). We had such a wonderful time last fall when we took Mother,Lois and Fred to French Lick to visit the Trinkles. We enjoyed the visit. After listening to the news reporter asking the questions, we felt like we had been there many years ago and was glad that we weren't. It was the first time I had really realized exactly what your Dad had done during the war. Recently on a visit to Ca, he told me about rescuing someone from the Grand Canyon in the 40's. I was ignorant enough to say "why didn't you use a helicopter". Fred looked at me like I was from outer space and then started to laugh. We both appreciate so much the time Fred has spent talking shop with Jennifer. She always felt like he was so interested in her and what she did.
Again, you had a great,handsome Dad, who was the only uncle I had who could scare all of Merom with a fly over, and then years later land a helicopter in my front yard. It made for great "show and tell". Our hearts go out to you. I spent last night reading letters mother had written during her college years, many to Fred. He obviously was a special person to her also. Love, Nancy and Bob

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