Michael Dean McMillan, of Gulfport, Mississippi entered the gates of heaven on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at the age of 75. He was born in Castroville, Texas January 7, 1942
Mike was raised in Pearson, Texas primarily by his grandparents, Oscar & Kate Conover, where he attended public school in Natalia while spending a lot of time on the family cattle ranch in Moore. Mike was a very active member of the Presbyterian Church in Natalia while often attending the Methodist Church in Moore when at the family ranch. In high school he was very athletic as quarterback and captain of the football team, was on the baseball team, the basketball team and ran track. During his high school years Mike was voted class President, President of the F.F.A., Homecoming King twice, Fall Festival King, High School Favorite and Most Handsome. Following high school Mike attended San Antonio College before taking a job as brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He spent a number of years working as a bartender before owning and operating several night clubs in Houston, Texas.
After falling in love and marrying Judy Lynn Spears, Mike moved to Gulfport, Mississippi to be near Judy’s family. He began working for Harrison County Parks and Recreation where he worked his way up to Interim Director. As Director he helped organize the first county wide Easter Egg Hunt where they hid eggs in five areas of the county. Mike also helped organize the annual Gulf Coast Winter Classics Equestrian Hunter/Jumper Horse Show and did such a great job that they named the field “McMillan Field” which he felt totally honored. He loved living in Gulfport and loved working with and for the residents of Harrison County. All through life Mike was loved by his family and peers enjoying a great laugh as he would share fun times and stories with those around him. He always had a great story to tell.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents William Oscar Conover (1895-1970) and Dora Katherine Phillips Conover (1893-1994); his parents Garland Dean McMillan (1915-1989) and Billie Jo Conover Clifton (1920-1991); Step-Parents Eldene N. Lotfus McMillan (1923-2011) and Paul “Red” Leon Clifton (1932-2014); Half-Sister Rebecca McMillan Dick (1949-2004); and wife Judy Lynn Spears McMillan (1960-1998).
Mike is survived by his children Bobbye Joe McMillan Morris of San Antonio, William Michael McMillan of San Antonio and Nicholas Claude McMillan of Gulfport, Mississippi; brother Patrick Clifton McMillan of San Antonio; Half-Sisters Kathy Joann McMillan Keifer (Steve) of Chicago, Illinois, Susan McMillan Cappo (Doug) of St. Petersburg, Florida; grandchildren Samantha Joe McMillan Flores (Daniel) of San Antonio, Aaron Preston Guerrero of San Antonio, Alexandra Reigh Clift of Austin and Charlyze Brook Hemby of San Antonio; great-grandchildren Ryleigh Elizabeth Flores, Daniel “D.J.” Joshua Flores and Rain Leilani Guerrero, as well as numerous cousins throughout Texas.
Visitation were held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, Mississippi from 5:00 till 7:00. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, in the funeral home chapel at 10:00 a.m.. Burial followed at Finley Cemetery in Gulfport.
Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.