Dates
Milton Dwight Bearden, of San Angelo, passed into the arms of the Lord on June 15th, 2023, at his home. He was born January 2nd, 1963, to Woody and Mary Bearden in Midland, TX.
Milton and his older brother Jeff were very close until Jeff passed away in 2006 at the age of 45. He and brother Nathan would grow even closer at that time. All 3 brothers were just a year apart from each other.
Milton as a young teenager would move to San Diego for one year where he and brother Jeff lived with the boy’s older sister Mittie and her family. Jeff would stay in California for several years while Milton said as much as he enjoyed it, it wasn’t Texas, and he was homesick. Not long after returning to San Angelo, Milton would go to work for Holsum Doughnuts Bakery. It wasn’t long before he worked his way up the ladder and made supervisor, this is where he would become known as “The Doughnut Man”. Doctors, Lawyers, Goodyear employees, oh and let’s not forget the policemen, people from all over would stop and get their doughnuts from Milton because they were hot and fresh when purchased from his location.
Milton got to know a lot of people during this time because of his outgoing personality, not unlike Will Rogers, Milton never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back.
He took Karate lessons for a couple of years, being a big Bruce Lee fan, he loved to stay fit and strong.
Someone once told his mother that they thought Milton was a little rough around the edges. She thanked them and also replied, “with my boys you get what you see, and I know they are not perfect, no one is besides the man upstairs, anyone with all their edges polished is probably hiding something.” He told it like it was, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear, those that knew him would suspect something if they got anything different. Milton would continue working as a baker after leaving Holsum, first for a short time with Skaggs Alpha Beta and then for many years with Walmart, he would then become an Inventory Specialist with Walmart.
In 2008 Milton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Local physicians told his family his was one of the worst cases of MS they had ever witnessed due to the severity and quick onset. He would spend the next 15 years in a wheelchair, spending his days at home and at the hospital.
Prior to his MS diagnosis, Milton was engaged to the love of his life, Ester Rodriguez. Milton met Ester at Walmart where she too was and is employed. After his diagnoses Milton explained to Ester that he couldn’t stand the thought of putting her through what they knew was coming. They agreed not to marry but as a true love would do, Ester stayed with him to the very end anyway.
Our family is forever grateful to Ester and her family for the care, love, and compassion they’ve shown for the last 16 plus years.
In the 1st week of November 2022, Milton was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. After several weeks of chemotherapy, a new scan showed the cancer was almost nonexistent. This exciting news would be short lived, the cancer came back and spread faster than ever, now stage 4.
He was told to do the best he could that after only one radiation treatment nothing else could be done. From the very beginning, he blamed no one but himself, he knew the risk of smoking and “I did it anyway” he would say.
He was truly a man that died with his boots on. For someone who had so much adversity in their life, he sure smiled and loved to joke around a lot, one of his greatest attributes.
Milton loved animals, especially dogs, Shorty, Duke and his current K9 Pepe. Pepe was very protective of Milton, they loved each other like family should, Milton’s pets were always family members and treated well. Milton was a Christian and looked forward to heaven and seeing his family and friends that had passed before him.
He loved his family dearly, especially his nephews Quinton and Parker, you could always tell they held a special place in his heart.
Milton is survived by his brother, Nathan Bearden and wife Michele of Bronte, TX, and their 2 sons, Quinton Bearden and wife Kallie Jo with their son to be born in November, and Parker Bearden, sister, Mittie Funderburk and husband Bob of Jacksonville, NC, sister, Kathy Bearden Vinson, of Hawley, TX, step-sisters, Linda Cook Burns, Sharon Cook Paulsen, Debbie Cook Turman and Sandra Cook Smith, special cousins, Jimmy and Joyce Fine of San Angelo, and numerous nieces and nephews.
We also want to thank Milton’s niece Stephanie Jennings, from Tyler, TX, who came down and spent the last few days with Milton and Ester, so he was able to stay home. Stephanie and Ester are what we refer to as earth Angels.
Milton is preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Bearden, mother, Mary Fine Bearden Carter, brother, Jeff Bearden, brother, Donnie Bearden of Hawley, TX, and brother, Woody Bearden of Hawley, TX.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 5:00-7:00pm at Harper Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 2:00pm at Harper Funeral Home, with Russ Frazier officiating. Burial to follow at Belvedere Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Lee Young, Lucas Watson, Bill Roberts, Danny Rodriguez, Jeff Featherstone, Mike Powell, Angel Rodriguez, and Raymond Rodriguez.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the local animal shelter or St. Jude’s children’s hospital.
The family would like to say a special Thank You to all of Milton’s care givers and Hospice of San Angelo, and to all of Milton’s friends who would come by and visit through all of his illness, thank y’all so much, he loved all of you.
Jimmy and Joyce Fine, thank y’all so much for helping and doing things when we couldn’t be there.
Proverbs 17:17
Solomon points out the value of a true friend and a brother. He says a true friend is always loving, and a brother helps in trying times. A true friend and genuine brother exhibit true love in unfavorable circumstances as well as favorable ones.
Go rest high on that mountain brother, I love you and I will see you there someday.
Visitation
Thursday, June 22, 2023
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904
Viewing
Friday, June 23, 2023
8:00AM - 7:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904
Funeral Service
Saturday, June 24, 2023
2:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904