Patrick McMillan

Patrick Clifton McMillan, of San Antonio, Texas entered the gates of heaven on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the age of 79. He was born in Castroville, Texas November 28, 1943.
Patrick 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, Texas. After high school, Patrick joined the Army and served until he was medically released due to heart complications. Upon release of the Army, Patrick followed his heart and dream of dancing and moved to Alaska where he attended the University of Alaska and began his journey of teaching. While in Alaska, he not only taught but also choreographed and judged for the Miss Alaska Beauty Pageant. He was then recruited by UC Berkley to teach classes and choreograph for their dance and play performances.
In the early 70’s Patrick made his way back to Texas where he taught for the past 40 years and became one the most prominent, well I say, the MOST prominent, dance instructor in San Antonio, Texas. He taught classes in ballroom, country western, and salsa. His journey began at Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio and then he began teaching classes for the school districts in many locations around town. As he progressed, he then taught for Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio College, Incarnate Word, and Trinity University. While at Trinity University, he was voted favorite professor, which he bragged on quite often. While teaching for the Connections Program at the Village of Incarnate Word, he taught a line dance class for the most wonderful group called the Sisters of Charity that he loved very dearly and couldn’t ever stop talking about. One of his biggest highlights that he was so very proud of was his performance groups of McMillan and Co. and the Trinity Ropers. These groups performed at every and any festival you could name, as well as the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, Mickey Gilley’s Night Club, Billy Bobs, and The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN. They were featured on TNN’s Club Dance, traveled to Japan to perform for the mayor of Kumamoto City and were accompanied by Mayors Lila Cockrell and Henry Cisneros. His dance troupe also performed for the Queen of England and former President George W. Bush when they visited San Antonio, another performance he couldn’t stop talking about.
Patrick took the road, literally, in 1984 and Waltzed Across Texas, to raise money to take his dance troupe to perform at the Alaska State Fair. Pledges were made for every mile he waltzed. He put in 13- hour days and waltzed for 488 miles and was able to cover all cost.
And lastly but certainly not least, he taught lessons at the San Antonio Spurs Christmas Party with Greg Popovich, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson, and the other amazing team members. He choreographed the dancing for the IMAX movie The Spirit of America with Lyle Lovett, and John Schneiders movie, The Real Deal, and performed on the Lawrence Welk show.
Patrick has spread his love of dancing across the US and touched so many people during this time. He was loved by so many and has experienced so much that it would be impossible to put it all down on paper.
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 Clifton (1920- 1991) and his brother Michael Dean McMillan (1942-2017). He is survived by his niece and nephews, Bobbye Joe McMillan of San Antonio, William Michael McMillan of San Antonio and Nicholas Claude McMillan of Gulfport, Mississippi, great nieces and nephew, Samantha Joe Flores, Aaron Preston
Guerrero, Alexandria Reigh Schneider, and Charlyze Brooke Hemby; great-great nieces and nephew, Ryleigh Elizabeth Flores, Daniel “DJ” Joshua Flores, and Rain Leilani Guerrero, as well as numerous cousins throughout Texas.
A Visitation was held at 11:00 on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Primrose Funeral Home, 303 W. College Ave, Devine, Texas with a funeral service beginning at 1:00 directly following the viewing. Burial followed at Moore Memorial Cemetery in Moore, Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the guest book may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com
Arrangements by Primrose Funeral Services 303 W. College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.