James H. Milliman

He was born January 14, 1940 at his Aunt Bertha’s home in Leon, NY, the son of the late Howard and Avis Milliman. He was a 1958 graduate of Randolph Central School and began working in auto repairs with his father when he was 15 years old. After graduation, he worked at White Trucking in Jamestown and said when he left, “I am not going to be a heavy truck mechanic.”

If you asked 100 people who Jim Milliman was, they would all give a different answer. A loving husband, devoted father, caring grandfather, loyal friend, honest businessman, avid golfer, caring coach and mentor to many young people. Jim was all of these things and more, touching many lives in his lifetime.

Jim went on to own his own business at the Kennedy Ashland Service in Kennedy, NY. After the sale of the Ashland station, he worked again with his father at the Waterboro Garage where he rebuilt transmissions. When his father passed in 1991, he remained at the Waterboro Garage until he retired, after 50 years, in 2009.

Jim served as a councilman for the Town of Poland, attended the East Randolph Methodist Church, and organized the yearly Spring Festival Bowling Tournament at Twilight Lanes in Randolph. He was a member of Cardinal Hills Golf Course in Randolph and Seven Lakes Golf Course, in Seven Lakes, NC, The Sons of The Legion Post 181, and Loyal Order of the Moose in Randolph and Arcadia, FL.

Jim’s biggest joy was raising his family and seeing them happy.

Jim loved his years with his signature white Ford Ranchero and enjoyed his motorcycle excursions with his wife Lori, brother Peewee and wife Bev, cousin Chuck Stankey and Charlene and friends Bill Glow and Suellen Bennett. He spent many years hunting with his father, brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews and later his son. He often spoke of his love for drag racing that he participated in Wattsburg, PA. In later years, he and his brother Fred, cousin Neil Cullen and other friends would take Spring trips to western Ohio for a week of golfing at various courses.

He cherished and loved the memories of his years as a Babe Ruth Baseball coach in Kennedy and of the players he called “his boys.” He continued to remember them through the years and loved seeing his former players to be able to talk about baseball with them. Every conversation ended with a “thanks coach.” He was most proud that his son was a part of the team that won a division and league championship in 1986. The young men that he mentored at his garage and on the baseball teams were dear to his heart.

He is survived by his soulmate Lori, children Bradley Milliman (Jennifer) of Colorado Springs, CO, Rachelle Kostial (Bill) of Chippewa Township, PA; siblings Judith Stevens, Frederick Milliman (Freida) and Charles Milliman (Beverly) all of Randolph; grandchildren, Taylor Milliman, Will (Erin), Logan, and Madison Kostial; and many special nieces and nephews.