Former Shawnee resident Eric James Milatz, 37, died Wednesday at his home in Mesquite, Texas.

He was born October 11, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan, to Edward and Shirley Milatz. He graduated from Broken Arrow High School and went on to graduate from St. Gregory's College in 1982.

He attended Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, for a short time then entered the monastary for four years. He received his bachelor of arts degree in theology while a monk at St. Gregory's.

He returned to OSU and graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. He was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Lancaster, Texas, and pursued a career in hotel management.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his mother, Shirley Milatz, Tacoma, Washington; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Paula and Chuck Despars, Fort Hood, Texas; Laurie and Scott Atkinson and Greta and Keith Wade, all of Chester, South Carolina; Bertel and John Stege, Norman; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Martin Milatz, Evansville, Indiana; and Steven and Angela Milatz of Tacoma, Washington; a special friend, Joe DePoo; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. Gregory's Educational Fund.