Milton Knox Mann, Jr., 95, of Collierville, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2017. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Martha Haynes Mann; daughter Betty Mann Ed-wards (Brian); son James Milton Mann II (Judy); and daughter Marilyn Mann Hiner (Russ), all of Collierville.
He enjoyed watching the family expand with six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is third generation of Collierville heritage, the son of Alice Cartwright Mann and Milton Knox Mann, Sr. He graduated from Collierville High, then attended Davidson College.
As World War II broke out, he was called to serve his country proudly in the U.S. Army Air Corps, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant, having trained as a pilot flying B-17s, B-24s and B-29s preparing to be shipped overseas when the war ended.
After the war, he completed his college education with a degree in physics from Davidson. Milton and Martha were married on February 7, 1945, and they moved around the country where his Ar-my service led him before the war ended, before finally settling back in Collierville. With hard work and perseverance, he started a new business built from the ground up, Collierville Lumber company, which provided a comfortable living for his growing family.
He was an avid golfer (he notably made two holes in one after age 70) and tennis player, and en-joyed scuba diving, hiking, camping and canoeing. After retiring in 1980, he and Martha enjoyed traveling around the country as well as traveling all over the world. He had an insatiable third for adventure and seeking firsthand knowledge of new places. He never met a stranger.
He was proud to serve the Collierville United Methodist Church as a lifelong active member. He served with many missionary groups in foreign countries helping others, donating his time, energy and money. He was an excellent role model and encouraged his children to work hard and instilled faith-based values and a great sense of respect for others.
Later in life, Milton even wrote a book about growing up in Collierville with colorful stories of his travels. He will be greatly missed by so many, but his body had grown tired and he was ready to go “home”…a well-deserved rest.
(Published in The Collierville Herald 12.7.17).
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