John Walter McMillan

John W. (Johnny) McMillan was born on September 4, 1929 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, the third of five children born to John Hilton and Herma McMillan. John Hilton was a railroad man and the McMillan family lived at various time in Yeso, Vaughn and Agudo during Johnny’s school years. Most of his schooling was completed in Fort Sumner, where he enjoyed athletics and had many friends, some of whom still reside in the area. Johnny graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1948. Johnny was gifted athletically and pursued higher education at Hardin-Simmons University on an athletic scholarship. At various times he participated in football, basketball, baseball and rodeo. Johnny’s education was interrupted from 1950 – 1954, when he volunteered and served in the United States Air Force, including 13 months stationed in Korea during the Korean conflict. God had His hand in that interruption as Johnny returned to Hardin-Simmons University after completing his military service to meet and marry a beautiful West Texas freshman young lady, who he would spend almost 51 years as one with. Johnny and Winona May were married on September 3rd, 1955 and Johnny completed his Bachelor’s degree at Hardin-Simmons in 1956. Johnny’s first teaching/coaching job was in Santa Rosa, New Mexico from 1956 – 1959. The couple made many life-long friendships in Santa Rosa, and enjoyed the people there very much. Terry (a son) and Shelly (a daughter) were both born while the couple resided in Santa Rosa. In 1959, Johnny returned to Fort Sumner, where his parents still resided and he seldom left Fort Sumner for longer than a week at a time. He dearly loved the good people of Fort Sumner, and his community. Johnny continued to further his education earning a Master’s Degree and an administrator’s license from ENMU. He served as high school math teacher, football coach, basketball coach, track coach and eventually high school principal from 1976 – 1985, before retiring from public education. The McMillan family was blessed in 1975 when Johnny’s nephew, John Irvin McMillan came to stay and became a son and brother to the family. During Terry and John’s teenage years, Johnny also farmed (an expensive hobby!) and raised cattle, the working of which has become a family tradition which the family still comes together for each March. Johnny pursued his love of cattle after his retirement, creating a prize-winning herd of registered angus cattle. After Johnny’s retirement from public education, he served his community in a number of roles, including Economic Development Coordinator, Mayor, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and coordinator of the Health Council. He was a Rotarian for forty years, and served the community he loved in a number of ways. Two thousand and five was a very special year, as Johnny first saw the fruition of a 20-year long effort and the realization of a much cherished dream, as the Grand Opening of the Bosque Redondo Memorial was held on June 4, 2005. Then on September 3, 2005 Johnny and Winona celebrated fifty years of marriage with a celebration with their family and friends, and in February of 2006, Johnny was present for the birth of his first great grandchild. Throughout their lives, Johnny and Winona were very active members of the First Baptist Church, where Johnny taught Sunday School and served as a deacon. Johnny always cherished the opportunities presented to him to serve God. Johnny and Winona have been testimonies and role models for their grandchildren, who love them so very much. Johnny lived his life – and lived it big. He was secure in God’s love; it always seemed easy and natural to him to give. He often said “love need not stop at my front door”. Johnny’s greatest love was people, his only valued possessions were his many personal relationships the dearest of which was with His Savior. Johnny’s legacy is easily seen on a tour of the community, but resides most importantly within the many lives he has touched and molded. We will miss him deeply. Were Johnny to speak to you today he would remind you that 1. the sun will come up tomorrow! 2. the way to be loved, is to love 3. there is work to be done – get to work! Survivors include his wife Winona of the family home in Fort Sumner; a daughter Shelly Best and husband Drue of Fort Sumner; two sons Terry McMillan and wife Jodie of Las Cruces, NM; John McMillan and wife Katherine of Hobbs, NM; two sisters Helen Shaw of Fort Sumner and Carol Senowech and husband Ron of Atlanta, GA. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 8, 2006 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Burial followed in the McMillan family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers were the deacons of the First Baptist Church, Don Sweet, Dick Haynes, Jerry Sparks, Nick Cortese, Robin Simmons, Curtis Crawford, Art Moyer, and Eddie Spitz. Honorary bearers were his Sunday School Class. The family prefers memorial contributions to Friends of the Bosque Redondo Memorial c/o Fort Sumner State Monument, P.O. Drawer K Fort Sumner, NM 88119 or the John W. McMillan Scholarship Fund c/o Patti Scott P.O. Box 387, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. For online condolences visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.