Fred Melvin Milan

1921 - 2006

Fred Melvin Milan passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2006.

Fred was born in Oxnard on Feb. 1, 1921. He moved with his parents to Monterey Park, where he graduated from Alhambra High School.

He entered the Army in 1940 and served his country in the Signal Corps for 21 years His career took him to the South Pacific during World War II, then postings in Fairbanks, Alaska; at Fort Ord; Fort Monmouth; Taiwan; and Germany. He always enjoyed different command assignments, from spying on the Chinese to commanding the Radio School of Europe. He retired as a major.

Fred returned to Oxnard and began a new career at Raytheon Co., rising to the position of data and documentation manager.

He was amateur radio operator for 60 years and after retirement became an enthusiastic RVer, traveling several times across the United States and Canada, as well as trips with two camping clubs. He had a major stroke in 1999 and lost much of his ability to communicate; however, he continued with his hobbies as long as possible.

In 1989, he relocated to a small farm in Yamhill, Ore. He reveled in outdoor activities. Unfortunately, his poor health required him to move closer to a hospital. He returned to Oxnard in 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille; children, William E. Milan of Willisonville, Ore., Steven Milan of Ventura, Claudia Michelsem of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Rebecca L. Porter of Virginia Beach, Va., Kathy L. Antrobus of Oxnard, Francine S. Titherington of Portland, Ore., and John D. Stallings of Manassas, Va.; grandchildren, John Milan of Seattle, Thomas Milan of Santa Monica, Maridee Leyva of Port Hueneme, Lorraine Anthrobus of Bristol, Va., Robert I. Antrobus of Santa Cruz, Scott Antrobus of Oxnard, Michael Yonker of Portland, Ore., Cyndee Orcutt of Elkhorn, Wis., Robin Sears of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Nathan Stallings of Manassas, Va., and Michelle and Georgiana Porter of Virginia Beach, Va.; great-grandchildren, Eden Milan, Hailey Milan, Luke Sears, Mundo Leyva, Mikki Leyva, and Beverly, Kimberly and Emily Yonker; and sister, Marie Berry of Hillboro, Ore.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at West Presbyterian Church, Port Hueneme, with Dr. Kent Meads officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Conrad-Carroll Mortuary, Oxnard; phone 1-805-487-4911.