many have written online about your life in austin, texas. this will be about your early life, a country lifestyle that could not prepare you for the life you would lead in the big city as an adult.
born in 1968, in rural montgomery county texas. at that time there was no lake conroe and highway 105 was a two lane road. we lived down the hill from your grandparents. our land adjoined and there was eight acres for you to run and play on and that is exactly what you did. it was a different time and the world was simpler and safer then. you and your friends played outside for hours on end riding bikes and three wheelers, hitching the dog to your red wagon and having him pull it around. there were horses, a donkey, ducks, an occasional pig or calf, rabbits, assorted barn cats and even a pet raccoon one year. you loved the out of doors and you loved animals. you were a good student in school-a member of the honor society. you participated in cub scouts and little league. you went to sunday school and church. you enjoyed roller skating, rodeos, the circus and family vacations. around age 9 you started guitar lessons in conroe. to rick, your first guitar teacher, many thanks. you gave milton a love for music that he retained for life. to milton's childhood friends, he remembered each and every one of you and often tried to reconnect over the years, especially after the availability of the internet. jay b., he admired you and your band-loved your music and was a true fan. todd g., he counted you as his best friend and had great memories of your adventures in the country together. he often spoke with pride of your achieving a good career, beautiful family and home.
beginning in the late 70's, we started moving with dad's job and that took us to many new places. life was different in the city, but you found it new and exciting. you met new friends, got your driver's license and first old truck and graduated high school. from piper's meadow, milton always remembered todd z. and rudy and all the good times shared at school and in the neighborhood. we remember when you three discovered the b52s and rode your skateboards (stationery, of course, while pretending that they were surfboards) to their music in the middle of our living room.
in irving, milton met friends whose common love of music would last the rest of his life - greg, ron, kim, rodney and scott. to rodney, thank you for being his always friend. please tell your mom that milton thought she made the best french fries in the world. he tried to learn her recipe and to teach me how to make them. but ours never came close to hers!
milton achieved 80 plus college hours, primarily in math and science. he always dreamed of finishing his degree. he wanted a good career probably more than anything in the world.
milton wrote songs, poems and published chapbooks. he wrote articles for the creative pulse and for the clubhouse. he was open and honest (sometimes to his own downfall) and he rarely met a stranger. he loved deep discussions; music, religion, politics or even recipes, whatever the subject you enjoyed talking with people and learning new things.
as an adult, milton lived his entire life in austin, texas. he was bitten with the "keep austin weird" bug from day one. he loved everything about austin-the look of the city, the parks, the casual lifestyle and most of all the music scene. he met his wife in austin. he also met andrew and mark at pecan grove. they eventually moved west, but he still enjoyed the occasional phone call to stay in touch. two other austin friends were adam and brian. he really enjoyed meeting adam to play music. adam, we appreciate that you cared about milton. brian, he thought so much of you as well and always enjoyed visiting with you to discuss music and concerts or enjoy a meal together.
milton had many jobs over the course of his life. some were temporary jobs, some part-time. mahesh, he was very happy that year at the hotel. he loved helping the guests. he kept every comment of praise posted by the guests online. he said he felt like a travel ambassador for austin. many thanks. also to betsy. he truly appreciated your kindness and fairness. milton also volunteered for causes close to his heart.
no account of milton's life could be complete without mentioning his love of good food and later in life he enjoyed learning to cook. he loved salmon cakes, chicken and dumplings and of course chocolate pie. he made the best beef and bell peppers stir fry. he also was kind of famous for his potato soup. he had recently learned to bake pies and enjoyed trying out his newly gained techniques. his culinary skills grew and he liked trying new cuisines; however, he never, ever grew to like beets.
there can be no account of milton's life without mentioning bongo bear. he is the dog in milton's arms in his online memorial photo, they were lifelong buddies. bongie lived a long and loved life-about 18 years. bongo passed in 2014.