Francis Joseph "F.J." Milberger was born March 11, 1915 in Bryan, Texas, to Vincent and Mary Milberger. His father, Vincent, arrived by boat in Galveston from Prussia around 1890. Mary Hebron, from Bruno, Czechosvokia, his future wife, just happened to be on the same boat. They were married and bought a farm in East Bernard, and finally moved to a 70 acre farm in Bryan, Texas, where F.J. was born. His father worked as a Gardner at Texas A & M. When F.J. was seven years of age his father passed away.

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1934, F.J. went to work as a Bookkeeper at the Texas Company Bulk Plant in Matagorda County. Then in 1940, F.J. met and married the love of his life, Lillian Cole, a native of Matagorda County. To this unique marriage lasting almost 70 years into the future, were born four children; Mary Ellen, Wayne, Arthur, and Bryan.

Like many young American men, F.J. served in World War 2. Joining the army in 1943, F.J. was attached to the ninth tactical division of the Air Force. He took his basic training at Fort Still, Oklahoma, went by train through Maryland, Virginia, to his Port close to New York Harbor. From there F.J. was shipped in what he called 'an England cattle ship' traveling three weeks across the Atlantic and finally arrived in England. F.J. remembered the 'Buzz Bombs' near London. D Day plus 10, F.J. crossed the Channel to land in Normandy on Omaha Beach. From D Day plus 17, F.J. was stationed in the European Theatre for the duration of the war at the headquarters of General Omar M. Bradley. They constantly were on the move to dodge the enemy. Serving in G-2 Intelligence, F.J. received the Legion of Merit Award from General Bradley. For the most part, F.J. did pretty well on the Intelligence Reports he would type on the old ribbon type machines, notwithstanding one typo error of adding an extra -0-on a Report sending 10 Fighter Planes out to destroy German Artillery. Needless to say, with 100 planes, we won that battle!

Upon returning home from the war to Bay City, F.J. observed St. Augustine grass being removed from one residence and planted in a new lawn at a different residence. After trying this himself and running out of lawns to harvest sod from, F.J. did the math on the numbers of square feet in an acre, and this was the beginning of a new business and a new industry in Texas. F.J. planted 4 acres of commercial sod and the rest is history. F.J.'s and Lillian's four acres went on to become one of the largest and most successful sod farms in the United States. Because F.J. was a pioneer in this industry he had to invent many of the modern day techniques of the industry. Always working with Texas A&M, whom F.J. considered a Partner, F.J. initiated new land forming and cultural practices. F.J. was constantly improving the purity and varieties resulting in the implementation of the certified turf program in Texas. To meet the challenges of the industry, F.J., one of the original founders of the Texas Sod Producers Association, served as its first president.
Although F.J. was by far the leader in his industry, he was better known for his good natured humor and unwavering generosity, whether he was sharing new technology with a competitor or his compassion for his employees. He was a resident of Matagorda County for the past 75 years, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3070 and a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

All this being said, F.J. could never have done this alone. The love of his life, Lillian, was his partner in marriage, business, and life for close to 70 years.

He is survived by his wife: Lillian Cole Milberger of Bay City; his daughter: Mary Ellen Milberger of Bay City; his sons: Francis Wayne Milberger & wife Carol of Kerrville, Arthur Joseph Milberger & wife Sue of Bay City, and Bryan Michael Milberger & wife Theresa of Bay City; by his grandchildren: Kathryn Clare McMillan Peebles, Sara Christine Milberger Fruedensprung, Michelle Nicole Milberger, Jeffrey Wayne Milberger, Regay Sue Milberger Hildreth, Lesley Nicole Milberger Shoaf, Whitney Francis Milberger-Laird, Rachel Michelle Milberger, Thomas Joseph Milberger, Ashley Lillian Milberger, Erin Davis and Daniel Davis; and by his great-grandchildren: Julia Marie Peebles, Taylor Leigh Peebles, John McMillan Peebles, David Scott Peebles, and Audrey Sue Hildreth. He was preceded in death by his parents: Vincent Joseph Milberger and Mary Hebron Milberger.

The Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Friday at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Casey Jarzombek officiating. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck, TX. Pallbearers will be Arthur Lawrence, Hadden Dietrich, Jr., Cole Dietrich, Nick Quintanilla, Victor Barrera, Pete Cervantes, Elpidio Gonzalez, and Enrique Ochoa. Honorary pallbearers will be R. M. Cole, W. L. Cole, Hadden Dietrich, Sr. Arthur "Ozzie" Arnold, and Earnest Opella.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Holy Cross School Foundation, 2001 Katy Ave., Bay City, TX 77414.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, TX (979) 245-4613.