Obituary of Thomas Curry Milnes

Thomas Curry Milnes Thomas Curry Milnes passed away August 12, 2011 at his Aptos home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 55. Tom was born in Alhambra, California on October 11, 1955 one of five children born to Raymond Curry Milnes and Jeannette (Renter) Milnes. He grew up in Alhambra where he graduated from Alhambra High School. He attended East Los Angeles Community College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Teaching Credential from California State University, Chico. Tom was a history teacher at Yreka Union High School and at Harker Academy. He later worked several years as a banker with National InterCity Bank and Coast Commercial Bank but returned to his passion, teaching. He spent his last twenty years as a history teacher at Scotts Valley Middle School. As a teacher, Tom was known for his use of humor to engage his students. Tom as an avid fly-fisherman, he rode a unicycle, was a world traveler and a musician. He loved spending time outdoors and visiting historical sites with his family. Generous with his time, Tom was a volunteer at the Salvation Army of Watsonville and was a music minister at Holy Eucharist and Resurrection Catholic Churches. He is survived by his wife if 25 years, Jeanne Milnes; son, Evan Curry Milnes; mother, Jeannette Milnes; brother Michael Milnes and his wife Myra; sisters, Claudia Rosecrans, Karen Palmer and her husband, Jim and Kathy Conkey and her husband, Bill. He is also survived by four nieces and eight nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Curry Milnes. A vigil service will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Tuesday August 16, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Resurrection Catholic Church, 7600 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA on Wednesday August 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. The interment will immediately follow at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Cemetery, located adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers contributions are preferred to the Salvation Army of Watsonville, 112 Grant Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to sign the online guest book or express your condolences to Tom's family.