John Milton Weatherly

 John Milton Weatherly passed away on April 5, 2024, at Westward Trails Nursing Home in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born on March 28, 1949, at Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches. There will be visitation at Laird’s Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, followed by graveside service at 10:30 A.M. the next day, Friday, April 12, at Bethel Cemetery in Appleby.

Milton’s parents were Eugene Mitchell Weatherly, Sr. and Emmie Maurine Hutson Weatherly, who died respectively in 1988 and 2010. He is survived by three brothers- Eugene Mitchell Weatherly, Jr. (spouse, Terri), William Albert Weatherly (spouse, Peggy), and James Edward Weatherly; nephews Edward Mitchell Weatherly, (spouse, Erin), Russell James Weatherly (spouse, Meredith), and Wesley Paul Jensen (spouse, Julie); nieces, Katy Weatherly Holloman (spouse, Ryan), Francie Wintermute (spouse, Dohrman), Cara Weatherly, and Amanda Weatherly; grand nieces and nephews Nola Weatherly, Eamonn Weatherly, Jordan Jensen Gonzales, Morgan Holloman, and Molly Holloman. A grandnephew, Cody Thomas, son of niece Katy, died shortly before turning three years of age. Cousins with whom Milton, Mitchell, Albert, and Edward had close relationships were Glenn Kues, Bill Bennett, Henry Bennett, Mary Jane Stone, Nancy Stone, Beth Stone, Frank Hutson, Janet Langebartel, and Laura Hutson. Milton’s grandparents were Edward Mitchell Weatherly and Nola Weatherly, and Arthur Albert Hutson and Emmie Hutson.

Milton graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1967 and attended SFA. The family attended the First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches. Milton joined the Church at an early age and was baptized by Reverend Edwin Crawford. Milton was very well liked throughout his lifetime.

 Milton and his brothers grew up on the family dairy farm and beef cattle ranch. Milton as a young man was a hard worker on the farm and outstanding in 4-H and FFA. He placed highly in dairy cattle judging contests. The four brothers each had a horse and learned to work (and play) on the farm. Their father, Eugene, at one time operated three dairies and milked and constantly bought and sold a large number of cows, mostly Holstein, there having been over 150 dairies in Nacogdoches County at that time.

 Milton loved sports. While in 7th and 8th grades and early high school he made his best efforts at football and earned the moniker “Peckerwood” by Coach Joe Tom Harris for his spirited attempts at tackling. His best sport was probably baseball- he was a pretty speedy fielder and base-runner. Milton liked fishing and hunting, though he usually went along just to be with his father and one or more of his brothers.

In his adult years, Milton loved horses and roping. On a lot of weekends he took his horse and trailer to roping events, competing with local buddies and even at times entering rodeo events elsewhere in Texas. He was a darned good horseman and roper. Milton continued working on the family farm in his adult years, though mental illness eventually and sadly resulted in disability and long term care. Despite his frailties, Milton was a model of toughness and persistence- he never gave up on wanting to come home.

The Weatherly family greatly appreciates the efforts made for Milton’s care by Oak Wood Assisted Living in Athens, Texas, where he spent a number of years, Rock Haven Nursing Home, and especially Westward Trails Nursing and Rehabilitation, where Milton spent his final days. At Westward Trails, a large number of the staff came by to say goodbye to Milton on his final day. Milton really liked and got along with his long-time roommate, Fred Joplin, who passed away a few months ago. Harbor Hospice, though involved only a few days before Milton’s death, superbly and professionally made sure that Milton was as comfortable as possible, as did the staff of Medical Center Hospital led by their hospitalist physicians and Dr. Loyd Whitley. Dr. Kavita Vyas was Milton’s regular physician and of steady assistance in his care.

 Milton was a good man, a good brother, uncle, kinsman, and friend. His family and many friends give thanks for the efforts, goodness, love, and memory of Milton and all of our other family members and friends who have passed on before us.

The Weatherly family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Eugene Weatherly Agricultural Scholarship Fund maintained by the SFASU Foundation, P.O. Box 6092, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962; the Burke Center, 2001 South Medford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901; or for those with Rotary connections to Albert, the Fredonia Rotary Foundation, c/o Albert Weatherly, P.O. Box 631911, Nacogdoches, Texas 75963 (for use in its SFASU scholarship program).

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