With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Arthur ‘Sonny’ Milks Jr, of Nashville, Tennessee, (formerly of Orlando, Florida) who passed away on March 21, 2024 at the age of 51.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Arthur Milks, Sr. And Denise Williams; and his beloved dogs, Sampson and Koot.
He is survived by his siblings, Gina Milks Faircloth, Jared Milks (Katie), Joseph Milks, Jonathan Milks, and Amy Degenstein-Hood (Patrick); his nieces and nephews, Alyssa Wolcott, Matthew Ellis (Shronda), Amber Ellis (Jeśus), Elizabeth Milks, Jackson Milks, Joshua Milks, Kenzie Milks, Jacob Degenstein, Tyler Degenstein, and Anna Degenstein; his aunt Wilma O’Neil; his uncle Michael Milks; and his cousins, Mark O’Neil, Jr., Michelle ‘Missy’ Gordon, and Monte Gordon.
Sonny was an accomplished swimmer, having qualified to compete in the Junior Olympics at 14 years old. He enjoyed surfing, skating, and playing the guitar. He was an animal lover with a big heart. He was a believer in Christ and tried to live accordingly. He never harmed a soul and would give you the shirt off his back.
Sonny’s life took a turn when, in his 30’s he was arrested and convicted of burglary in Mississippi, subsequently sentenced to serve nearly 80 years. The judge who sentenced him was related to owner of the business that was burglarized. He was a non-violent offender and he got a life sentence for burglary.
He escaped from Mississippi, but was caught, beaten, and had another 5 years added to his sentence. His punishment was extended further by the warden who filed orders to transfer him to Parchman Farm. Due to the well known history of abuse being inflicted on prisoners at Parchman, Sonny attempted a second escape, this time succeeding and living on the lam for nearly two years.
Unfortunately, living on the lam led Sonny to continue a life of crime in Tennessee in order to survive financially. He was a non-violent offender. After two years, he was caught and convicted of burglary. He was a non-violent offender. Tennessee tried and convicted him on several counts of burglary. He was a non-violent offender. He was sentenced to nearly 30 years. Being a strong believer that human beings are not meant to be confined, he escaped again. And again, he was caught, beaten, and time was added to his sentence. Again, he was transferred to a maximum security facility. He was a non-violent offender.
Sonny’s mother, Denise, committed suicide on October 7, 2011 and the news hit him especially hard as they were very close. Shortly after, he attempted one more escape, was caught, beaten, and thrown in solitary, where he remained until the end. He was a non-violent offender. Recently, the maximum security facility implemented a new 30 minute monthly limit for phone use, and correspondence from family members was routinely rejected, ultimately cutting him off from loved ones. Despite the limits imposed in solitary, he was well liked and earned the respect of his fellow inmates by refusing to join or affiliate with any extremist groups. He always showed respect to the guards and, other that the escape attempts, was a model prisoner.
Sonny made his final escape, alone in his cell, in the early hours of March 21, 2024. He will be missed by many.
Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this page or with one of his siblings on social media.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. https://www.phillipsrobinson.com
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sentencing Project. https://secure.sentencingproject.org/a/donate?_gl=1*9ergdy*_ga*NDM0NzMxMTE0LjE3MTEyMzgwODc.*_ga_W0EM6XEQFF*MTcxMTIzODA4Ni4xLjAuMTcxMTIzODA4Ni4wLjAuMA.
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