Jack McMillan

Jack Cle Mc Millan, 84, passed away April 16, 2021 in Washington, Utah.  He was born In Idaho Falls, Idaho on September 17, 1936 -the son of Cle McMillan and Florence Jordan. He was educated in the public schools there and graduated from high school in 1954.  He married Karen McMillan June 20, 1958 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Idaho Falls Temple.

Jack was an avid sports fan and played on the varsity basketball and track team; He won the state mile competition his senior year.

He was a beloved father, husband and grandfather. He loved being with his grandchildren and encouraged their participation in church and scouting activities.

Jack entered the University of Utah as a freshman in 1954. He made many lasting friendships and enjoyed visiting his sister Valerie while her husband was serving in the Korean War. In 1955, he transferred to Idaho State where he enrolled in the school of pharmacy. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart-Karen Turley, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They moved to Pocatello where she became a staff nurse at the Bannock Memorial Hospital. Jack graduated as a pharmacist and accepted a job in Salt Lake where he worked in retail pharmacy for three years.

Their first child, Kathleen was born in 1959; she was followed by Douglas in 1961 and Laurie in 1965. Their grandfather, Cle, never lived long enough to see his grandchildren-he died from cancer the month before Kathleen was born. While living in the Pocatello ward, Jack joined the ward softball team; they went on to win the all-church softball tournament in 1964.

They moved into a four-plex near 17th So. And Liberty Park; Kathleen enrolled in Kindergarten at the nearest school. Unknown to our family then, the Sorensen family also lived in the Belvedere ward, and their son, Tyler, would one day marry my youngest sister, Ann.

Jack accepted employment with Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals as a drug representative for South Eastern Idaho and Jackson Hole Wyoming. He was called to be the ward athletic director and soon had a young adult basketball team organized. While working with the youth, he took a role in a performance, dressing up as a woman with a wig. To mime the song “These boots were made for walking” recorded by Nancy Sinatra. The bishop never would figure out who that strange woman was.

In 1969, Jack was transferred to Eugene, Oregon where he worked for 8 years. He then started working in retail pharmacy and retired in 2001. Mom and dad served a senior mission at the Family and Church History Center in Salt Lake. They made many new friends from all over the country and around the world.

While in Eugene, Jack served as a bishop's counselor, seventies leader and 13 years as a stake clerk. Over the years, they welcomed three more children into their family-Jim, Janet and Ann.

They have given their parents 27 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren-many of whom are here today.

He is survived by his wife Karen, his children:Kathleen Anderson, Boise, Idaho, Douglas McMillan, West Hollywood, California,Laurie Bennion, Eugene, Oregon,James McMillian, Ammon, Idaho, Janet Anderson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Ann Sorensen, Post Falls, Idaho; his grandchildren Bryan, Amanda, Bradley, Matthew, MichaelAnderson--Maegan PeavlerLindsay , Andrew and twins Sean and Tyson Bennion--Spencer, Christie, William, Joseph, Bryce McMillan--Benjamin, Jacob, Hannah, Mary, Jenna, Eliza, Caroline Anderson--Brenden, Ryan, Emmalyn, Nathanel, and Abigale Sorensen. Jack's sisters, Norma Canter, Valerie Newton and a brother Brent McMillan, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 2pm at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork. A viewing will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 6 to 8 pm at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, UT 84770. Burial in the American Fork Cemetery. Please share a memory of Jack on his tribute wall.