A memorial service for Jere Lee Milliken of Truro, who died on Aug. 2, 2024 in Palm Bay, Fla. of complications from a fall, will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18 at the Truro Congregational Church Cemetery. It would have been his 88th birthday.

Jere had retired to Florida, where he and his wife, Lynne, spent their days reading, doing puzzles, sipping iced tea, and enjoying each other’s company and the company of three generations of family.

Jere was born on July 18, 1937 in Wayne, Neb. to James and Marie Milliken and was raised on their farm. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Japan and then New Jersey, where he met Lynne Davis on a blind date. They were married for 66 years.

Jere’s military career moved the family all over the country until they landed at the North Truro Air Force Base. Somewhere along the way, he earned the name “Mule” for his strength and stubbornness.

After retiring, Jere worked as a landscaper at Bayberry Gardens in Truro, where his ability to move earth turned the heads of much younger coworkers.

Jere was a patriot, proud to serve his country, and always flew the flag. His great-grandchildren sent him birthday cards with their own flag interpretations and drew chalk flags in his Florida driveway when they visited.

He never forgot a birthday, and he asked many questions to get to know people, finding common ground in the smallest detail. He was proud of his family and loved clothing with the logos of the colleges his grandchildren attended.

Jere was an unwavering dog lover who always had biscuits in his pocket and never hesitated to share his ice cream cone with a four-legged friend.

Jere is survived by his wife, Lynne Davis Milliken, of Micco, Fla.; his brother, Ronald Milliken of Wayne, Neb.; his daughter, Debra Souza and husband Paul of Truro; his sons, James Milliken of Vinita, Okla. and David Milliken and wife Christy of Truro; his grandchildren, Natalie Van Staden and husband Gray of Wellfleet, Brittany Souza and husband Tom Kane of Truro, Isabel Souza of Truro, Anna Milliken of Waco, Texas, Luke Milliken of Eastham, and Paige Milliken of Wayne, Neb.; his great-grandchildren, Emerson, Ruby, and Ada Kane of Truro, and Essie Van Staden of Wellfleet; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Lorraine Hovde; a brother, Ralph Milliken; and a granddaughter, Alyssa Milliken of Truro.

Donations in Jere’s memory can be made to Tunnels to Towers, Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Animal Rescue, or any good cause.