Anthony Charles “Tony” Milligan was born on April 22, 1949, in Watonga, Oklahoma, to Victor Virgil and Velma Jean (Stuteville) Milligan. He passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Broadway Living Center in Lexington, Oklahoma, at the age of 77.  Tony was raised in Canton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Canton High School. Following graduation, he proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War, he served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, known by the call sign “The Walking Dead.” While serving his country, Tony was wounded in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart. Due to his injuries, he was medically retired from the Marine Corps.  On October 6, 1976, Tony married the love of his life, Nancy JoAnn Chambless, in Texarkana, Texas. Following their marriage, the couple and some of their children spent three months traveling throughout the United States before settling in Longdale, Oklahoma, where they lived for about a year. They later made their home in Wanette, Oklahoma, for several years before moving to Noble, Oklahoma, where they have resided for many years.  Tony had a passion for working with young people and devoted countless hours to coaching Little League football, T-ball, and basketball. He continued coaching for several years and took great pride in mentoring young athletes, several of whom went on to play college athletics.  A man of many talents and adventures, Tony enjoyed woodworking, knife making, chainsaw carving, leather crafting, photography, hunting, deep-sea fishing, canoeing, river rafting, and hot air balloon rides. He had a lifelong love of travel and visited all 50 states. Among all the places he explored, his favorite destination was the Redwood Forest in California.  Tony was a longtime member of the Tri-City Gun Club, joining in 1987, and was also a member of the American Legion in Norman, Oklahoma.

Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy JoAnn Milligan of Noble, Oklahoma; four children, Ron Milligan and wife, Gaitha, of Norman, Oklahoma, Dana Milligan and John King of Norman, Oklahoma, Tony Milligan of Norman, OK, and Brandi Milligan of Norman, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Shay Williams of Norman, Oklahoma, and Jon Williams of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one great-grandson, Rowan Lynn Anthony Williams of Norman, Oklahoma; two brothers, David Milligan and wife, Judy, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Danny Milligan and wife, Marie, of Canton, Oklahoma; one nephew, his sister Judy Brown’s son, Bruce Brown of Slaughterville, Oklahoma; along with many other nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor Virgil and Velma Jean Milligan, and one sister, Judy Brown.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, tel:8554483997, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Viewing will begin Wednesday afternoon at the Turner Funeral Home in Geary, OK

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Geary, Oklahoma, burial with military honors will follow at the Geary Cemetery in Geary, Oklahoma, Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).