It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, David Lloyd Milford, who peacefully passed away on June 12, 2024 at 89 years of age.

David was born in Kingman, Kansas on December 9, 1934 to Lloyd and Lois Milford. He grew up in Fowler, Kansas, attending Fowler High School, where he ran track and field, as well as played football until he graduated in 1954. He then moved to Dodge City, KS, where he met and fell in love with the girl next door, Lyla Beth McComas. They married in 1955 and spent the next 67 years devoted to one another.

David joined the United States Navy in 1955 patriotically serving his country for the next two decades. Earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer, David served on submarines, destroyers and tenders as a radioman, and cryptologist, then became a radio school instructor at NTC in San Diego. While in the South Pacific, he participated in approximately 30 atomic bomb detonations.

David's Naval career brought their family to San Diego in the 1960s and early ‘70s before returning to Dodge City after his retirement in 1975.

After his Naval career, David became Postmaster for Wright, Kansas and worked there for the following 20 years. As he enjoyed his later years, David maintained an active lifestyle, once riding a bicycle across the state of Kansas. He trained for and ran several marathons all across the United States, ranging from Miami to Honolulu. He was fond of reading novels, woodworking, square dancing, and spent his weekends watching football and NASCAR.

For both David and Lyla, service to their community was an important aspect of their lives, as they were active and dedicated members to various organizations. David served as a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, the VFW, and the Shriners Club. Lyla served as a member of the Women of the Moose, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the Shriners.

In 2008, David and Lyla relocated to DeLand, Florida, where they spent their remaining years together until Lyla’s passing in 2022. David returned to Kansas in 2023, concluding his remarkable life closer to where he called home.

David and Lyla are survived by their four sons and their families; Randy and Debbie, Don and Cara, Dave, and Mike and Lisa, as well as their 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

David is also survived by his brother, Mike Milford, and sisters, Rose English and Kathy Harris. He is preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Blanchet.

Lyla is survived by her sister, Bea Wittaker and is preceded in death by her brother Dale McComas.

Lyla and David were preceded in death by their infant son Ronnie Lee Milford.

David joins our loving mother, Lyla Beth Milford, who passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 20, 2022 in Deland, Florida at 85 years of age.

Lyla was born on June 12, 1937 in Dodge City, Kansas to Don and Margaret McComas. Crafts were a constant hobby throughout Lyla’s life. She excelled at macrame, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She attended Dodge City Senior High School, and was actively involved in the girl’s pep club, chorus, musicale, music festival, Allemande, Kayettes, and FHA, until she graduated in 1955.

Lyla was the proud mother of four boys and a loyal military wife, managing their home in San Diego, California and raising their sons while David was deployed in the Navy. She was an outstanding cook and developed many delicious recipes in addition to being an exemplary homemaker, all the while juggling the tasks of taking the boys to and from their school activities, little-league baseball, pop-warner football, and the Boy Scouts. She enjoyed working as a concession manager at the San Diego stadium, the Sports Arena, and the Del Mar Race Track.

Lyla worked her way into a management position at Walmart until her retirement. Her other interests included watching NASCAR, going to car shows, square dancing, playing computer games, singing and playing the organ.

David and Lyla were devoted Christians and Members of First Christian Church of Dodge City Kansas, as well as Stetson Baptist Church Deland Florida.

A memorial service for David and Lyla will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at the First Christian Church of Dodge City at 11:00 AM, located at 711 5th Ave., Dodge City, KS. Lunch will be provided following the memorial service.

At 3:00 PM, David and Lyla will be laid to rest at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Fort Dodge.

The family is asking that memorial donations be given to Shriners Children's Hospital.

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