The Honorable Bobby C. Milam died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, from natural causes.
He was predeceased by wife Jackie Milam and Riley Milam.
He is survived by sister, Margie Watkins, brother-in-law Jene Cook, children Philip and Lisa Milam, Joy Hice, Lynn and Anthony Hughes; grandchildren, Hannah and Nick Duran, Cole Hice, Alexandra Milam, Emily and Harrison Styles, Christina Milam, Riley Hice; great-grandchildren, Hayden Hughes, Luke Duran and Collin Duran.
He was born Dec. 15, 1930, in Fairburn. The youngest of six kids, Bobby grew up on a farm working the land alongside his father and brother. After graduating from Campbell High School, he joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 16, seeking adventure and exploration. His brief stint with the Merchant Marines was followed by joining the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two tours of duty during the Korean War.
After his military service, he enrolled at the University of Georgia to pursue his dream of becoming an attorney. While focusing on his academic pursuits, he also joined the university dive team and even tried out for the football team. He also pursued the love of his life, Jackie Cook, whom he had known since childhood, from a chance encounter at a football game. They married May 28, 1955, and began their long life together with Jackie working and supporting Bobby while he finished his undergraduate and law degree.
He graduated from law school in Georgia in 1959 and began his legal career by clerking for Atlanta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Jesse Wood for two years. He then joined the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Atlanta as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney for four years. He had the opportunity to join Herman Spence in private practice in Blue Ridge.
In 1965, he moved his family to the north Georgia mountains, never looking back. Bobby represented individuals throughout the north Georgia, as well as various businesses and corporations and was instrumental in industrial development and in bringing a hospital to Fannin County. He served as legal counsel for Tri-State Electrical Membership Corporation, Fannin County Bank, Fannin County Board of Education and the Fannin County Hospital Authority.
In 1983, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit was formed from the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit with Bob being appointed as the circuit’s first Superior Court judge by Gov. Joe Frank Harris. Judge Milam served as a Superior Court judge for the Appalachian Circuit until his retirement in 1996. He remained active as a senior judge for several years throughout the state. Judge Milam had the distinction of serving as the administrative judge of the Ninth Judicial Court Circuit for two years and sitting as an honorary judge on the Court of Appeals.
Judge Milam was very active in the community and his church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge.
A memorial Service will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at the Ridge Community Church, 5004 Appalachian Hwy., Blue Ridge, at 2 p.m. with Dr. Chan Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends at the Ridge Community Church from 11:30 a.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Judge Milam be made to the Fannin Christian Learning Center online at www.fanninclc.com or the Family Connection of Fannin, Gilmer or Pickens County. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.