(PRESS RELEASE) Milton Lloyd Doolittle, 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Cedar Park, TX on September 28, 2023 after a long journey with liver cancer. Milton was born in Houston, TX on July 14, 1946 to Willie and Margaret Doolittle. After moving to Lake Jackson, TX in 1956, he graduated from Brazosport High School in 1964 and earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1968 with a major in sociology and history. Milton began UT law school in the fall but was drafted to the Army in the summer of 1969. After his military service, he began working in the jewelry industry at Gordon’s Jewelers in Houston, and later managed the “Room of Real Jewels” at Sakowitz Department Store. In 1985 he moved to Austin and began working at Benold’s Jewelry which he eventually purchased in 2006. He retired with the sale of Benold’s in 2017.
Milton met his partner, Jim Bob McMillan, in 1992 and they shared 31 years together. They were married in 2015 in Taos, NM. The couple enjoyed traveling around the world. Port Aransas became their home away from home where they enjoyed the company of friends and family. Entertaining guests in their beautiful home was the love of both Milton and Jim Bob. Guests enjoyed great company, wonderful food and a beautiful collection of art and objects. The backyard garden reflected the couple’s eclectic interests and was filled with birds, plants, and even more art. Milton loved to have his morning coffee on the patio and enjoy the sanctuary he and Jim Bob created.
Milton is survived by his husband, Jim Bob, his sister-in-law, Martha Doolittle, nephew Travis Doolittle (Margaret) and their son, Henry, niece Laura Doolittle all from Austin, TX, and Jim Bob’s extended family from across TX and NM. In addition, Milton leaves a huge circle of chosen friends, affectionately known as his “framily”. He also leaves behind his much-loved standard poodle Dakota.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Doolittle. In addition, he loved and lost many dogs over the years, including Lucy, Molly, Mickey, Tina, Jack, Missy and Tux.
Milton will be interred at Palm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock, TX next to his parents and brother. A celebration of Milton’s amazing life and spirit will be held at Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park on Saturday, October 21st. Visitation begins at 1:00pm with the service beginning at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Central Texas SPCA, a nonprofit pet adoption center in Leander, or UT Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institute to support the work of Milton’s oncologist, Anna Capasso, MD PhD.
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Heartfelt thanks go to the doctors and nurses at UT Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Centerfor enabling Milton to enjoy a first-class quality of life for many long years, and to Hospice Austin for making his last few weeks of life as comfortable as possible.
