Eddie Milligan Sr. dies at 66

Trainer Eddie Milligan Sr. died Sunday morning at a Tyler, Tex., hospital. He was 66. Milligan had suffered a brain aneurysm Saturday afternoon when traveling from Delta Downs in Vinton, La., to his home in Shreveport, La.

"It was very sudden and very unexpected," said Jeanette Hughes, fiancee of Milligan's son, trainer Allen Milligan.

Hughes said there will be a visitation Tuesday at Carrol Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, Tex. It will be from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Slidell, Texas. It will begin at 2 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.

Milligan is a Texas native who had a stable at Delta. He had trained horses in the Southwest region of Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas since the 1960s. Some of his best were stakes winners Amazing Star, Triple Card, Devilish Shame and Winning R X.

Milligan is survived by his wife, Sherry; children Allen, who has stables at Oaklawn Park and Delta; Eddie Milligan Jr., who owns Twin Oaks Training Center in Athens; and Glenna Vest, Colin Bridewell, Foster Bridewell and Bay Jackson. He also has nine grandchildren and one great grandson.

"He really loved his horses and training, but he always made time for us," said Eddie Milligan Jr.