Milton Clifford Hathcock of Broken Arrow, OK passed away Friday, December 21, 2024 at the age of 79. He had spent his life in service to his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born May 11, 1945, in Cleburne, TX to Lloyd Bradley and Georgia Lue (Few) Hathcock, he spent his early years in Alvarado, TX with his siblings, Roger, Freda, and Tincy.

At the age of five Milton trusted the completed work of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins. He began to experience the desire and conviction for preaching ministry in 1954 (9 years old) and would later begin preaching at Thompson Baptist Church where his father had become pastor. He was the featured speaker for a revival meeting at the age of 13.

Milton attended elementary school in Alvarado, and graduated from Alvarado High School in 1963, though his family moved to Cleburne during his senior year. After graduation he went to work at General Dynamics. It was at Calvary Baptist Church in Cleburne, TX that he met Carolyn Sue Jackson. The two were married in August 1967.

In the fall of 1968, he and Carolyn moved to Springfield, MO where he attended Baptist Bible College. After completion of the GTh program in 1971, they moved to Greenville, MS, where Milton served as Associate Pastor of Faith Baptist Church under Pastor James Ford for two years. They returned to Springfield, MO with their first son, Clifford, to serve under Rev. Raymon Tracy at Seminole Baptist Temple for six years. While in Springfield, they welcomed their second son, Perry. Milton spent two years in Hattiesburg, MS as pastor of Grace Bible Baptist Church. In January of 1983, Milton and family moved to Buffalo, MO, where he would pastor Bible Baptist Church for the next 18 years-the church's longest-serving pastor to date. Following his time in Buffalo it was in Tulsa, OK where he would serve once again as Associate Pastor; this time with Rev. Rocky Harrill at the Tulsa Baptist Temple. This would be his last place of full-time ministry, spanning 2001 to 2018. He and Carolyn would spend the following six years together in Tulsa, relocating to Broken Arrow just weeks before his peaceful passing.

Milton's heart for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ was evident from an early age. As a child he would often go to sleep listening to Billy Graham's radio broadcast. He preached his first sermon at 13 years old. He was a gifted preacher with sincere desire to handle God's Word faithfully from the pulpit and in life. Milton was known both for his pulpit ministry and for special events such as banquets and retreats, where his humorous stories and comments made him a popular speaker. He was a gentle and loving husband and father. He enjoyed golf, fishing, and watching football. He also enjoyed good comfort food and iced tea-unsweet, with a lot of ice. He loved to laugh, he enjoyed the company of friends and family, and he loved children-especially his eight grandchildren. Milton will be remembered for his quick and joyful wit, his warm and open heart toward others, and his love for His Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Roger (Ella Mae) Hathcock, sister, Tincy (James) Bussey, and nephew, Tony Stanley. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn, sons: Clifford (Jill) of Silver Lake, WI, and Perry (Michele) of Broken Arrow, OK; sister, Freda (Billy) Major; grandchildren: Bethany, Alyssa, Chad, Caleb, Catriona, Maddison, Peyton, and Piper, and many nephews and nieces.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Eastland Baptist Church, 1835 S 129th E Ave, Tulsa, OK with the assistance of Moore Funeral Home. A private family burial was held in Fulton Cemetery, Walnut Springs, TX on December 27, 2024.