Obituary: Pamela Pena Milam

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Pamela Pena Milam. A resident of Fort Clark Springs, TX, Ms. Milam was 67 years old at the time of her passing. Ms. Pam as she was known by her friends passed away in Colorado Springs, CO while on vacation.  Last weekend while visiting her brother in Pagosa Springs, CO. Ms. Pam had an accident sustaining severe injuries. She was airlifted to Colorado Springs for possible surgery to stabilize her condition but unfortunately was placed on life support.  On Wednesday 07/23/25, her loving husband Richard, along with her three sons Ricky, David, and Christopher made the difficult decision to remove her from life support. Ms. Pam passed away shortly after, surrounded by the people she loved most.

Ms. Pam was born in Dallas County on March 7, 1958, to the parents of Clyde Milam and Dorothy Wylie. Ms. Pam was one of six children that were raised in Irving, TX. While caring for her beloved mother who slowly passed away from cancer, she made a promise to enter the medical profession. After graduating from Irving High School, she enrolled at Texas A&M University to pursue a career as a doctor. Her journey to become a doctor was placed on hold after meeting her future husband. They moved to Plano, TX where their two sons Ricky and David were born. Sacrificing her career as a doctor she helped her husband achieve his career goal in the IT field. Eventually they moved back to San Antonio, TX where their third son Christopher was born. After talking to nurses during the hospitalization of a family member, Ms. Pam decided to someday become a nurse instead of a doctor. She enrolled in the School of Nursing at UT Health in San Antonio. Working during the day for the local Baptist Church as a printer and attending classes at night, eventually she achieved her goal graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Shortly thereafter she quit her printing job to work for the UT Health systems, starting as an Intensive Care Nurse, then continuing on as an Emergency RN, and Oncology nurse. There she worked with UT Health Professionals who helped pioneer modern heart and lung transplants.

Ms. Pam and her family eventually moved to Shawnee, KS where she continued her nursing career at University Health Truman Medical Center. Ms. Pam worked as a Charge Nurse working long days and long hours. Working 12HR shifts and up to 24HR days, she lovingly attended and watched over the patients under her care. She lived and worked in the Kansas-Missouri area for several years before eventually moving back to the Dallas/FT Worth area of Texas.  While back in Texas she worked for several hospitals in the area eventually transitioning to the Vice-President of Case Management at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. At JPS Ms. Pam joined the case management team for the State of Texas, helping to shape and form medical guidelines for the State of Texas.  Missing her love of nursing she returned back to nursing working at Lewisville Medical Center. Ms. Pam never wanted to become a nurse that could no longer care for her patients. After a difficult period of losing multiple patients under her care and a series of ongoing health issues, Ms. Pam decided to retire from nursing. 

Ms. Pam and her family moved to San Antonio, TX where she rediscovered her love of quilting. In a short while she started her own business often donating the quilts she made to charitable groups and organizations.  As her health issues continue to mount, Ms. Pam and her family decided to move to Fort Clark Springs, TX to be close to her older sister. Known for its beautiful scenery and one of the largest spring feed pools in Texas. Continuing her love of quilting she started a new hobby in painting.  When COVID devastated the local area, the nursing spirit in her inspired her to start delivering food to some of the local residents. She started with just a few friends, quickly growing to over 20 people a day she served. As things slowly began to normalize, she continued to feed as many people as possible until her help was no longer needed. As local drought affected the spring fed pool she loved Ms. Pam searched for a new way to help the area. During a weekend at the Ft. Clark Days, she envisioned a group of artisans living and working out of Ft. Clark full time. With that thought in mind she started the Creative Collective of Fort Clark Springs. 

 Working to gather artisans and craftsman Ms. Pam approached anyone who would listen about the group. Slowly her health continued to fail, and she eventually was no longer able to climb the stairs of the local art studio. Not wanting to give up her love of painting she convinced the Fort to re-open the local pottery studio that had been closed for over a decade. Hoping to paint again and someday use it as a base for the Creative Collective, she began the long hard work of cleaning the studio. Working with her husband and autistic son Ricky she began cleaning the studio. Enduring extreme pain and suffering she continued to fight for her beloved Creative Collective.  Convincing local artisans to assist her in this endeavor she worked tirelessly. Wanting to expand the work of the Creative Collective Ms. Pam decided to start a business selling jewelry she and her son made, often selling her items at local festivals in the area, always promoting the Creative Collective. Whenever possible she spoke highly of the talented artisans in the Creative Collective and in the local area. It was her final wish to see the Creative Collective expand and grow. Flourishing into a butterfly from the cocoon she built. Ms. Pam wanted the Creative Collective to be her gift back to Fort Clark and the wonderful people in the community. 

Ms. Pam is survived by her husband Richard, and their three sons Ricky, David, and Christopher. Her older sister Elizabeth Hodges, and younger siblings Royce, Loyce, Jimmy, and Cheree. Followed by her beloved grandchildren Malia, Alana, Leia, Kellan, Ariana, and Aviana.

Memorial Serves will be held for the immediate family on Wednesday, July 30th in Colorado.

https://www.crematecolorado.com/2025/07/28/pamela-pena-milam/