Milton Odon Gilbreath

Milton Odon Gilbreath departed this life on May 1, 2016, at PeachTree Hospice at Sparks Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at 94 years of age. A long-time resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Milton Gilbreath was born in Scott County, Arkansas, on September 8, 1921, to Luther Milton Gilbreath and Victoria O'Neal Thompson Gilbreath.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie Lee Treece Gilbreath; two children - Ronald Gilbreath and Marilyn Gilbreath; his parents - Luther Milton Gilbreath and Victoria O'Neal Thompson Gilbreath; his sister - Melba Gilbreath Owens; and his brother-in-law and close friend - Mondell Owens. He is survived by two children - Mary-Jo Gilbreath Hales of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Steven Milton Gilbreath of Fort Smith, Arkansas; one grandchild - Steven Alan Gilbreath of Fort Smith, Arkansas; daughter and son "of the heart," Rita Rissinger and John Rissinger; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins by the dozens, and many dear friends.

Milton Gilbreath served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II as Pharmacist Mate 1st Class on the USS Knox (APA 46), a troop transport ship which was used by the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific arena.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, with a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Agriculture, Mr. Gilbreath taught Agriculture for several years at Greenwood High School in Greenwood, Arkansas. During that time, he also served as the FFA Sponsor for the Greenwood FFA. Starting in 1960, Mr. Gilbreath taught Science at Ramsey Junior High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, until his retirement in 1987. As a Science teacher, Mr. Gilbreath became interested in ecology long before it was a well-known topic, and began working after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer to create order and beauty in yards and gardens for people throughout the Fort Smith area.

Mr. Gilbreath's funeral will be held Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 2:00 pm, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas, (479) 646-9702. Visitation will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church starting at 1:00 pm that same day. A private graveside service will be held at the Thompson Jameson Cemetery in Scott County, Arkansas. Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be: Steven Alan Gilbreath, Kelvin Rissinger, Gary Finney, Danny Pinion, Mike Moody, and Randy Hilmer. Honorary Pallbearers are: John Rissinger, John Lane, M.D., and Harley Strang.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72901, or to the Thompson Jameson Cemetery, c/o Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, P.O. Box 358, Waldron, Arkansas, 72958. Additionally, the family would like to thank John Lane, M.D., and PeachTree Hospice at Sparks Medical Center for the wonderful care of our adored father during the last few weeks of his life.

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