Russell Allen Mcmillan Sr.

Russell A. McMillan, a much loved husband, father, brother and grandfather passed away on June 29, 2018 at the age of 72. He was born December 4, 1945 in Painesville, Ohio to James Richard McMillan and Elizabeth Mae (Bassett) McMillan.
After graduating high school, Russ enlisted in the U.S. Army and was later selected for Officer’s Candidate School where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and was commissioned as a 2LT in the Signal Corps in 1968. Through the Army’s boot strap program, he was selected to attend the University of Nebraska where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business. His distinguished 20-year military career took him all over the world serving in Florida, New Jersey, Vietnam, Pennsylvania, Alaska and Washington D.C. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and others. At the young age of 37, Russ retired from the military at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis in 1983.
Russ dedicated his next 20 years to the Banking and Credit Card Services industry. He was an executive at First Interstate Bancard in Simi Valley, California; Credit Card Services and Integratec in Atlanta, Georgia; First Data Resources in Tulsa, Oklahoma; USAA Federal Savings Bank in San Antonio, Texas. At age 60, he retired from the business world as Chief of Operations at PSCU Financial Services in Clearwater, Florida.
Russ and Judy began retirement in the golfing community of The Villages, Florida where they took full advantage of the active lifestyle and made many lifelong friends. Russ had a passion for anything motorized, sports cars being his favorite. They enjoyed traveling and visited many places around the world -- living life to the fullest.
His positive attitude and zest for life was such that, unless he told you of his personal pain and journey, you would never know of his struggles with a 17-year battle with cancer. Refusing to ever give up, he became known as a “medical miracle” at MD Anderson in Houston and throughout the medical community. Russ fought cancer like he lived his life…. facing every challenge head on.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick. Survivors are his wife, Judy McMillan; children, Tonya Brant and husband Daniel, JJ Woolston and husband Tim, Samantha McMillan and husband Scott Davis, all of Atlanta, Georgia; Russell McMillan II of Eaton, Ohio; Step-children Philip Robertson and wife Kristin of Keller, Texas and Jenni Parenica and husband Aaron of San Antonio, Texas. Grandchildren: Danielle Brant, Dillon Brant, Hayden Brant, Calvin Mijo, Matthew Woolston, Magan Woolston, Macie Woolston, Taylor Robertson, Kylie Robertson, Camrynn Parenica, Sydney Parenica and Avery Parenica. One sister, Patricia Jullian of Opelika, Alabama; numerous other family and friends. Russ is also survived by his most beloved dog, Baylee.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 12, at 11:30 am at Lucas Funeral Home, 700 W. Wall Street, Grapevine, Texas. Burial with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Warrior’s Journey Home at https://tinyurl.com/warriorsjourneyhome in honor of Russ.