Julian P. Craigmiles, 94, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at Christus Hospital-St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was the husband of Mary Dixon of Climax, Georgia, for sixty-seven years; father of Julian P. Craigmiles, Jr. of Monroe, Louisiana; Mary C. Robinson and her husband, John, of West Monroe, Louisiana; and Lee D. Craigmiles of Beaumont. He was also the grandfather of three, great-grandfather of five, and uncle of several nephews and nieces.

Born January 17, 1921, at Thomasville, Georgia, he was preceded in death by his parents, Grace Beverly and Judge J.E. Craigmiles; a brother and a sister, all native of Thomasville, Georgia.

He graduated from Thomasville High School in 1938, where he played football and served under age in the Georgia National Guard. As a youngster, he was active in scouting and later became a Scout Master. Julian went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps as a fighter pilot in World War II with over one hundred missions. He stayed in the Reserves and was later called up into the Korea Conflict where he flew the Banshee jet earning the rank of Colonel.

After graduating with a BS degree in 1942 and a MS degree in 1948 from the University of Georgia, he earned a PhD from Cornell University in 1953. He became a Professor and Head of Forage Crops at the University of Georgia Experiment Station at Griffin, Georgia.

In 1961, he was awarded for being the scientist making the greatest contribution to Georgia agriculture through research. In 1964, he transferred to Texas A&M as Professor and Director of Research and Extension Center in Beaumont. Later in 1982, he retired and took a position with UCLA to do research in Egypt on a rice project.

A gathering of Dr. Craigmiles’ family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 9, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.