Dr. David Lee McMillan passed away October 19, 2017, at home in Neosho, MO. Born July 11, 1939, in Maryville, MO, to Jackson David McMillan and Florence Lydia Prather McMillan, he attended Tarkio High School in Tarkio, MO. While in high school, he served as a Senate Page for Sen. Stuart Symington. He graduated Tarkio College with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 1961. He met Frances Marilyn Huston at Tarkio College and they married August 25, 1962, in Winchester, KS. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, where he earned his M.D. degree. He completed internship and residency at Kansas City General Hospital 1966-69, serving as Chief Resident, 1968-69. The couple’s first child, Margaret Elizabeth, was born in 1969. In 1970, the family moved to Aspen, CO, where David entered private practice. Their second child, Amy Frances, was born in 1971. They moved to Aurora, CO, in 1975 where David completed a fellowship in internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and their third child, Huston David, was born in 1976.  The family moved to Neosho, MO, in the fall of 1976 where David joined the group at Sale Memorial Hospital (now Freeman Hospital), practicing family medicine until his retirement in December, 1998.
David was a strong supporter of education and public health. He served two terms on the Neosho School Board and continued to advocate for innovative curricula and infrastructure in the Neosho public schools long after his children graduated.  He served on the Board of Trustees for Tarkio College and he was a frequent contributor to many Crowder College causes. He was instrumental in the renovation project of Sale Memorial Hospital that resulted in an addition and expansion in the 1980’s, and later, as President and Chief of Staff, he facilitated its transition to the Freeman Health System. He was responsible for the installation of numerous benches around downtown Neosho for the benefit of the walking public.
David liked the farm. He spent much time as a boy with his grandfather going to the farm, helping cut weeds, riding the horse that pulled the hay up into the haymow and tasseling corn.  As an adult owner of farmland, he kept close watch on corn and soybean prices and made sure the land was improved with terracing and tiling to conserve water. He recently leased portions of the farm for the placement of windmills to harness wind energy. He enjoyed visiting with family, extended family and getting to know the friends of his children. He always had a fondness for interacting with babies and toddlers. He loved to ski (as recent as last winter), sail, fish in one particular Minnesota lake, camp, hike, ride into the high country on horseback, and travel with his wife in a 34 foot Airstream to many parts of the U.S. and Canada. He wrote a letter a week to his three children from the day they left for college until just last year. He was a meticulous planner especially of vacations, making sure the family came together as a whole at least once a year. He knew how to have fun and was generous in doing so.
David is survived by his wife, Frances McMillan; three children, Beth McMillan and husband Peter Beland, Amy Sandusky and husband Fred Sandusky, and Huston McMillan; three grandchildren; Oliver Beland, Eleanor Beland and Magnus Sandusky; brother Michael McMillan, and ‘sister’ Beulah Waggener. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harry McMillan.  Memorial services will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.  Pastor Richard Williams will officiate.  There will be a reception in the fellowship hall following the services.
Memorial contributions in memory of Dr. McMillan may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Avalon Hospice, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO, 64850.Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com. Services are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho.