Harris Evan Milligan, Jr. Obituary

Harris Evan Milligan, Jr.

Charleston - Mr. Harris Evan Milligan, Jr., a resident of Charleston, South Carolina, died Thursday, January 15, 2026. He was 88 years old.

A graveside service will be held for Mr. Milligan 9:00 A.M. Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Newton City Cemetery (Newton, Alabama) with Reverend Jonathan Bost officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. A celebration of life service will be held for Mr. Milligan in Charleston. Date to be announced.

Harris Milligan loved what he loved without boundaries, restriction or apology. His faith, his country, his family, his wife. His three remarkable grandchildren, two incredible boys, Riverside Military Academy, and on those rare Auburn wins, his college. Harris was a talented artist, moved to Atlanta after college from his hometown of Newton, Alabama, and was quickly established as a force in Atlanta advertising. His creativity, bold ideas, and fresh approach captured the imagination and brought to life even the most boring of industrial clients. Janitor in a Drum never looked so appealing! His storied tenure in advertising included stints at McCann Erickson, Doyle Dane Bernbach, Cargill Wilson & Acree and lastly Milligan Tyre Paffenback. This shake-it-up approach resulted in coveted advertising awards and recognition. Both locally and abroad. Harris in his jeans, suspenders and signature bow tie, was the original and ultimate cool. It was no wonder that his wife of 34 years was totally smitten on their fateful blind date. Over the span of this beautiful marriage, Sharon's work took them on quite the journey. Without exception, every one of the six corporate moves resulted in a new Harris Milligan fan club. His trail of admirers is wide and long. Having moved to Charleston in 2020, Harris established his membership to both the Carolina and Charleston Yacht clubs. As a member he took his bigger-than-life personality along with his "long story short" repertoire, charming all in his wake.

Harris is predeceased by his beloved parents, Harris and Lucy Milligan. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his son, Mike (Meghan) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Mike's two children, Cal and Marina, son, Chris (Christy) of Bentonville, AR, their son, Brett; his sister-in-law, Kitty (Chris) of Wilmington, NC, their two children Charles and Kelly; Alabama cousins and too many friends to begin to count.

Harris was fond of saying "go big or go home". And that's exactly what he did. He lived big and is now home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 4975 Lacross Road #200A, North Charleston, SC 29406.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com

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