Paul M. Milburn, age 85, passed away at a local hospital November 25, 2016, with his loving wife Ann by his side.

He was born on February 10, 1931, to Roscoe L. and May Ayers Milburn in Ringling, Oklahoma, in the rear of a country store. He entered this world at 15 pounds.

Paul attended grade school in Snyder and Waurika, graduated in 1949 from Fairview High School. He worked his way through college and graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a major in Business Administration with minors in Marketing and Psychology. He joined the Air Force ROTC while in college and entered into the Air Force after graduating as a Second Lieutenant. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan and visited several other countries. He continued in the guard retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

After returning to the states, the next two years he worked for a major oil company which he left to take his first teaching position, Vocational Distributive Education & General Business in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He moved three years later to Shawnee where he taught Distributive Education. He went on to become the Director of Vocational Education for the Shawnee School System and an Assistant Superintendent of adult education at Gordon Cooper Area Vocational Technical School. He obtained a master’s degree in Vocational Education from Oklahoma State University.

Paul started Paul Milburn Acreages approximately 43 years ago, where he purchased, developed, sold and financed acreages. He continue to work so he could fulfill his passion and that is to “Make a Difference” where it is most needed.

Civic and other activities were very important to Paul. He was a member of Shawnee Lions Club for 54 years. He was on many boards in the Advisory or Chairman positions. He was a supporter of the Children's Hospital Foundation, Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, Salvation Army, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Governor's Educational Advisory & Planning Committee, Shawnee School Board, St. Paul's Methodist Church, S T A R T, TEEM, Lion's Quest, Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Library, Several surrounding town libraries, Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma State University Tutorial Program, Shawnee Educational Foundation, Shawnee Policeman Foundation, Water4, Groundswell, World Neighbors, Pambe Ghana, Lion's Meadows of Hope, Pottawatomie County Historical Society, NSO and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Shawnee.

Paul is described by his wife Ann of 27 years as being a dedicated worker, committed, passionate, innovative, emotional, caring, and a very gregarious and “people” person.

The community, charities and organizations have awarded Paul for his efforts. World Neighbors Board Emeritus, Children’s Hospital Foundation Makers Award, Salvation Army Endowment Fund Special Vision 2nd Leadership Award, Board Member of the Year YMCA Leadership Gifts Chairman, Chamber of Commerce Gordon Richards, Sr. Service Award, Kiwanis Citizenship Award, Salvation Army Don Bodard Friend of Youth Award, Honorary Doctorate from Oklahoma Baptist University to name a few.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe L. and May Ayers Milburn, a brother and sister-in-law, Star and Pearl Milburn, a brother, Troy Milburn, Son, Kermit Milburn, brother-in-law, Charles Barr and step granddaughter, Mariah.

He is survived by his wife, Ann of the home, sister, Anna Grace Barr of Fairview, sister-in-law, Jean Milburn, Oklahoma City, daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Mark Miller, Keller, Texas, daughter-in-law, Taprina Milburn, Edmond, step-son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Sheila Reed, Mountain Park; grandchildren, Kara, Kelton, Brenner, Aubrey, Garrett, Monty, great-grandchildren, Kelton Jr., Brodie, and Sawyer; many more relatives, friends, employees, customers and acquaintances.

Paul was a lifetime member of St. Paul's Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 29, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, November 30, at 1:00 p.m. in Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. Kris Steele and Kris Tate officiating the service.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to Lions Meadows of Hope, Perkins, or Pottawatomie County Historical Society, Shawnee.