Milton Herman Ramsey
Milton Herman Ramsey, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on March 19, 2018. Milton is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 76 years, Phyllis (Burton); daughter Marikay, son Michael, and son Thomas; and his grandchildren Wesley and Sean. Milton was preceded in death by his parents, and 11 brothers and sisters.
Born June 14, 1920 in Grandview, WA, Milton and his twin brother Morris were the youngest children of John and Minnie (Mills) Ramsey, a Grandview pioneer family. Milton spent his youth on the family farm, met Phyllis when in high school, and graduated from Grandview High in 1940.
Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Milton joined the U. S. Army Air Corps in January 1942. He trained in CA, NC, MA, TX, and FL before orders sent him to Duxford, England to fly P-47s with the 82nd Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, of the U. S. Eighth Army Air Corps. While escorting B-17 bombers in January 1944, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, and he bailed out over France. It was only through the help of the courageous French Underground that he managed to make it to Spain, and back to the U. S. by July 1944. Milton continued to serve until the end of the war.
Milton was recalled for active duty in 1953 during the Korean War, and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command in ID. He was subsequently assigned to bases in HI, WA, Morocco, Spain, and a final tour of duty in NM. He retired from the U. S. Air Force in August 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Milton truly loved serving in the Air Force, and flying gave him great joy.
Milton was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife, and was generous to his friends, of which he had many. He was an automobile enthusiast and was always searching for one of his children to “hold the flashlight” while he worked on an engine. He never met a motor he didn’t like. He also loved to play golf, and played into his 90s. He and Phyllis spent their retirement years traveling with friends and family. Milton will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him.