Robert Douglas “Doug” MacMillan, Jr., 65, passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 28, 1957 to Robert Douglas MacMillan, Sr. and Shirley Leilani “Kirchner” MacMillan. His battle with numerous medical issues over many years showed his courage in facing life challenges.
Doug was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and had a deep passion for helping others in the community.
After graduation from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Nebraska, he attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He was awarded a four-year Army ROTC scholarship. He received his commission after graduation as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was stationed overseas in Garmisch, Germany where he served with the Air Defense Artillery. He achieved the rank of Captain, and ultimately received the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
He worked for Lockheed Martin, Pitney Bowes and Loral and was instrumental as project manager, leading an engineering team in creating an automated address reader and sorting machine for the U.S. Postal Service.
Doug was appointed by the Governor to be the Oklahoma Executive State Director for the Office of Disability Concerns, where he managed all operations, including outreach, technical support and employment. Before this, Doug served as Executive Director for the Oklahoma One Call System.
He actively participated in his kid’s and grandkid’s activities including Scout Master for Colin and Ryan on their journeys to becoming Eagle Scouts, Ryan’s swimming competitions, and was an honorary wrestling Coach for Colin. He was a sponsor of Kristene’s college dance team, and most recently his granddaughter Inara’s dance competition team. He was always prepared to work on construction projects for the dance studio. He used his artistic talent to make sets for annual Christmas nativity scenes at church as well as providing donkeys and sheep from his farm.
Doug had a great and sometimes shocking sense of humor. He was often overheard saying to the grandchildren, “You can cuss when you pay taxes”.
Doug had many interests. He was involved in the Second Maryland Regiment of Foot that did Revolutionary War reenactments for the Bicentennial. He and his Dad built a carbide cannon that was used in the reenactments. He loved to fish. One memory from his cousin was how he loved to take his mom out in the canoe and pretend he was going to tip it over. Other hobbies included coin collecting, dabbling in building dollhouses and miniature models and was an avid collector of Star Trek novels and housing his father’s National Geographic magazines.
Doug had secretly always wanted to own a flower shop so he bought “Donna’s Flowers” in Tahlequah and eventually tricked each of his children into becoming florists and running it.
He is survived by his daughter Kristene Watson, her husband Nathan Watson and their children, Inara and Isaac, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; son Colin MacMillan and Desiree MacMillan and their children, Jacen and Aurora, of Claremore, Oklahoma; son Ryan MacMillan, his wife Destrie MacMillan and their son, Konner, of Okay, Oklahoma.
He is also survived by his brother Jim MacMillan, his wife, Mary, and their children, Michael and Tina, and his great niece, Sophia, and great nephews, Ian, Henry and Dominic along with his cousin Meg Siciliano who he thought of as his little sister.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie MacMillan; brother Bill MacMillan; father Robert Douglas MacMillan Sr. and mother Shirley Leilani MacMillan.
A Celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at Crescent Valley Baptist Church, 25641 S. Crescent Valley Road, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 74464, with military honors service to immediately follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, Fort Gibson, 74434.
Those wishing to express sympathy, please consider donating to The Griffin Promise Autism Clinic % Kristene Watson 3873 N. Rice Rd. Tahlequah, OK 74464
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the MacMillan family.
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