Jean was born in Waco, Texas, on November 7, 1946, to Joy Keller Farris. Her father, Thad Farris, was a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army and the family was stationed in Ft Hood, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaii; Long Island, New York; and Austin, Texas. Jean attended 14 schools before 10th grade and graduated from Stephen F Austin High School in Austin, Texas. When her father retired, the family moved to Dallas, Texas.
Jean worked for Westinghouse Electric and was commended for her excellent job performance before changing jobs and working for Hallmark Electronics handling all of the printing needs for the many branches all over the country. Jean met Dan in 1972. Jean’s boss would not let Dan ask her on a date, but when her boss took another position in Phoenix, Arizona, Dan asked Jean to lunch and she accepted. They had lunch together almost every day for two years and were married on April 30, 1974. They had a son, Michael Bruce Millet, and Jean was a room mother for his classes at Trinity Christian Academy every year, 2nd through 12th grade. Dan and Jean enjoyed attending Mike’s track meets, hosting Trinity class parties and later semi-annual parties in their home. The family enjoyed many lovely meals together at Il Sorrento and time with their Basset Hounds, Winston and later Gilda. Jean and Dan were active in the running community and in 1983 put on the first Triathlon Dallas. In 1990, Jean was Race Director for the Komen Race for the Cure. When Jean wasn’t running, she was famous for being on the sidelines with her friends, holding up signs and wearing crazy homemade costumes. Jean supported numerous nonprofit organizations and spent many volunteer hours at Old City Park, now Dallas Heritage Village, as a docent giving school tours, editing teaching manuals and a myriad of other jobs. Jean was a welcome sight at Millet the Printer, delivering baked treats for all the employees.
Jean and Dan were members of Redeemer Bible Church. In 1996, Jean and Dan tragically lost Mike, and in 2005, Dan was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia, a rare form of blood cancer. Jean accompanied Dan for 58 blood transfusions and, in October 2007, the decision was made to try an experimental drug that had less than a 20% chance of being effective. Dan credited Jean’s support for his survival and happily they had another twelve years together before Dan’s passing in 2019. Jean moved to Sunrise of Frisco and had several happy years there before losing her battle with Alzheimer’s on January 15, 2023.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and sister Cyncha K. Farris. Jean is survived by her cousin Cheri Cole, her husband Bob, brother-in-law William Millet, his wife Loetta, and nieces and nephews.
The family will receive guests at a visitation Monday, January 23, 2023, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.
There will be a memorial service Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 2:00pm in the Bill Sparkman Memorial Chapel at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.
A private burial is planned for the family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Millet family.
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