MIlton Maxwell Hattaway, II

“Tell them the Son of a Gun is gone.”

 Milton Maxwell Hattaway, II passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, surrounded by his family at the age of 80.

Milton was born on February 26, 1944 to Dr. William Leon Hattaway and Nena Audra Hataway. After living several places, Milton’s dad was asked to be the minister at St. Luke’s Methodist in Kilgore in 1955. Milton was in the 6th grade. He graduated from Kilgore High School in 1962. In 1961, at the home of John and Verdine Ford, Milton was introduced to Jan Peek. Five short years later, while attending Texas Tech, they were married. Milton graduated from Texas Tech in 1966 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He then acquired a Dairy Science degree, even though he rarely told anyone, from Texas A&M University in 1968. 

After professional stops in Weimar, Sulphur Springs and Marshall, the family moved to Kilgore in 1978 where they have resided ever since.

Milton enjoyed a diverse professional career - Purina Feed Salesman, Dairy Farmer, Marshall Pottery Old World Store, Head of Grounds Maintenance at Kilgore College, Director of Special Services for Kilgore Independent School District, Feed Store Owner and ultimately a teacher at MLMS in the behavioral unit.

No matter his profession, his true calling was service to people and service to his church. Through his children’s younger years, he coached many teams, some baseball, some softball and a lot of soccer teams. Milton served the community as a board member of Kilgore Improvement and Beautification Association (KIBA) and the Kilgore Historical Committee. Milton was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church for more than 50 years. He faithfully served in a variety of capacities including youth sponsor, Sunday School teacher, sang in the Choir, Chairman of the Administrative Board and an active member of the Caring Christians Sunday School Class.

 But he found no greater service to his community in being a great Husband, Father and Grandaddy. Milton and Jan were blessed with three children Trey (Jennifer), Jeffrey (Lee) and Mendy. He was additionally blessed with four grandchildren Christopher, Abby, Thomas and Matthew. He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Melville. His brothers-in-law - Richard Melville, Robert Peek (Angele’) and Doak Schoenemann and, one niece, Diane Fasbinder.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Nena Hattaway; niece, Lynn Giddens, sister-in-law, Sharon Schoenemann and grandchildren, William Barrett and William Travis.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the St. Luke's Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Glen Blackmon officiating.

Memorials in Milton's honor can be made to the St. Luke's Methodist Church Music Fund at www.stlukeskilgore.org or to the New Gate Mission at www.newgatemission.org.