James L. Milby died peacefully on 19 February 2017 at Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester, at the age of 78. 

James Milby was the son of David L. Milby (deceased) and Nannie Bell (Foster) Milby (deceased) and was preceded in death by his eight brothers and sisters. James was born in the Tanyard Landing area of Gloucester in 1938, and was a lifelong resident of Gloucester County. 

James is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nancy Oliver Milby; sons, James Farrell Milby and William Fields, and daughter Patricia Fields Verdone, and their families, including eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

James was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman in South Korea in the 1960s. After returning home he worked as a heating and air conditioning technician. He later started the Milby Bros. Logging Company in the 1970s with his brothers, Harold, Carol and Bennie, which existed until 1987. He began working for the National Park Service in 1987, maintaining the Yorktown battlefields and forested areas along the Colonial Parkway, retiring with more than 20 years of service. 

James and Nancy are longtime members of Petsworth Baptist Church, and he loved spending time with his church family. James enjoyed rabbit and deer hunting with his friends and family and liked watching NASCAR and westerns. Spending the majority of his life working outdoors, he loved being in nature and was an avid gardener in his day. 

The viewing was held at noon on 22 February 2017 at Petsworth Baptist Church, with the graveside service and reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Petsworth Church Building Fund, 2471 Hickory Fork Road, Gloucester.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.