Milton Howard Towne, Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force, 86 years of age, and a longtime Westport, Wash., resident, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center in Montesano, Wash. He was born on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1930, the son of Clayton and Grace Evelyn (Neff) Towne, on 22nd Street in Hoquiam, Wash.

He attended the Washington Elementary School in Hoquiam which was located on the present site of the Grays Harbor YMCA.

His grandfather was the owner of the Neff Mill, located along the Hoquiam River, which burned in 1928. It provided many adventures for a young boy exploring the mill’s charred remains. Milton was endowed with a spirit of adventure, exploring the hills above Hoquiam, hiking many trails in the Olympic National Park and row boating the Hoquiam and Chehalis Rivers.

The Great Depression of the 1930s was instrumental in forging his work ethics. First as a paper boy for the Washingtonian Daily at the age of 12, and later in a variety of jobs at the Hoquiam Steam Laundry, the Hoquiam Bakery, Grays Harbor Paper Mill and Golstein & Block, which was a dealer in used mill machinery. In high school, he was a member of the Honor Society, Latin Club and Varsity Club, having earned two letters in Varsity Track as a mile runner champion. He was co-editor of the school annual, Hesperian and recipient of the Hoquiam Lions Club Scholarship for academic achievement.

His excellence as a French horn musician earned him a music scholarship to Central Washington University. He was the primary French horn soloist with the Central Washington University Band for two years. He never forgot the thrill of flying at the age of ten, when his father paid for his ride in a WWI Jenny. In the spring of 1949 he watched a formation of F-86 Jets flying over the Central Washington Campus. “I have to do that” he told himself. He then took the Aviation Cadet Test at the McCord Air Force Base just outside of Tacoma. His score was excellent and when the Korean War broke out in 1950, he elected to leave college and join the Air Force for flight training. He was ordered to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas as an Aviation Cadet and began basic flight training in the primary trainer, the T-6. Six months later, he was assigned to advance flight training at Vance Air Force Base at Enid, Okla., flying the B-25 and the T-28 Trainer. Upon graduation as an Air Force Second Lieutenant Pilot, he was assigned to Moody AFB in Georgia for jet transition training. Subsequent assignments as an all weather jet fighter interceptor pilot were at Paine AFB IN Everett, Wash., Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska and Wurthsmith AFB at Oscoda, Mich. He left the Air Force in 1957 to pursue a college degree at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. He graduated in 1959, Suma Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Milton was then hired as a fifth grade teacher in Bellingham. He decided to further his military career and joined the Air National Guard as a Captain and subsequently was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1964 he sought and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. Milton was selected as Principal of Campus Elementary School of Western Washington University and was a member of the Education Department as a Lecturer and Supervisor of Student Teaching. When Campus Elementary School closed, he took a position as Principal of the Olalla Elementary School in the South Kitsap School District.

Milton Towne was married to Karen Olson, a former college classmate in 1970. They moved to the Federal Way School District where he was the Principal of Panther Lake Elementary School. Milton and his wife, Karen, bought a lakefront home on Five Mile Lake in Federal Way where they lived for several years. As an Officer in the Washington Air National Guard, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of as Electric Installation Squadron. In 1971, he was offered Command of a Combat Communications Squadron. He accepted, resigned as Principal and became a full time Commander, Federal Civil Service. He rose through the ranks in several Command positions. In 1978, he was assigned as Commander, Combat Communications Group and promoted to Colonel. in 1980, Governor Spellman, appointed Colonel Towne as Assistant Adjutant General, Commander, Washington Air National Guard. He was selected for promotion to Brigadier General by the Air Force Promotion Board, the Pentagon, nominated by President Reagan to the U.S. Senate and was confirmed for promotion. In 1988 he retired at the rank of Brigadier General, United States Air Force.

In 1990, he moved to Westport and had his home built at Cohasset Beach. He was active in community charities, the South Beach Christian Outreach, South Beach Food Bank and many animal shelter programs.

His wife, Karen, of 33 years died in 2003.

In 2004, he was married to a long time friend, Kerry Gilles. They lived happily at their spacious waterfront home, beach combing, exploring nearby lakes and parks until the time of his death on March 1, 2017.

Milton will be remembered for his distinguished military service, his participation in local charity organizations and support of animal shelters.

Memorials may be made to a local animal shelter.

There will be no formal or memorial service at his request.

Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th Street in Hoquiam, Wash.

Please take a few precious moments of your time to record your comments for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.