Milton Ray Jarrell, 71, of Bay City passed away January 11, 2024 in Houston at Paradigm at Westbury Nursing Home after an extended stay at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center.

He was born in Bay City on November 30, 1952 to Henry Milton and Sammie (Finch) Jarrell.  He graduated from Bay City High School in 1971. He later attended Wharton County Jr. College.  While attending WCJC he also drove the bus from Bay City to the college.

Milton always showed an interest in truck driving and started his truck driving career at Pruett Koontz Petroleum Company in Bay City. He later advanced to long haul/interstate driving with Groendyke Transport Company.  After many years on the open road, he retired and became a guard at Texas Department of Corrections at Jones Creek. He retired from there also.

He was baptized at First Baptist Church in Bay City and recently attended St. Paul's Methodist Church and Markam Cowboy Church.  He loved singing in both churches.  As a youth, he was a boy scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  He became a ham radio operator as a young adult and stayed active in the local ham radio club that his father help start.

Milton married Claude Mae (Claudia) Sellers on April 3, 1981.  They were married for 41 years.  Claudia passed away July 4, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Tweedle.

Survivors include his brother Glenn Jarrell of Brenham and his aunt and uncle, Ray and Nancy Finch of College Station, cousins Steve, Jenny and Monty Finch, other relatives and many friends. He is also survived by lifelong friend, Gene Green, Gary Middleton, David Wells and special step granddaughter, Krystal Navarro.

Visitation will start at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 27, at St. Paul's Methodist Church, 3102 Fifth St. in Bay City.  The celebration of life will follow at 2:00 pm.   A reception will be held at the church after the service.  He will be buried with his parents in the Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City at a later date.

The family would like to thank Milton's many friends and church members who reached out to visit and help him the last few months.  Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Methodist Church or Markam Cowboy Church.