Leon K. Mcmillan

Biography: Leon (Lee) & Melena McMillan

Lee: Born Leon (Lee) K. Emry in Elma, Washington, February 17, 1939 and then adopted as a McMillan in 1957, he grew up in McCleary, Washington. His early years included school, athletics, and outdoor activities. In 1956-57, he worked swing shift for Simpson Logging Company in the door plant in McCleary while attending high school during the day.

In October of 1957, Lee began an Army career that spanned 20 years, filled with adventure, travel, education, and many previous experiences. Early assignments took him to Ft. Carson, Colorado, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. In June 1958, Lee accepted assignment overseas to Frankfurt, Germany. After a 3 year assignment, he returned to the states and Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. This assignment was short-lived as Lee sustained a skull fracture leading to a medical release from school. The Army offered a choice of assignments and he chose Ft. Lewis, where he was stationed in October of 1961. It was in Ft. Lewis, Washington that he met his wife Melena in 1963. Married on his 25th birthday, February 17, 1964, this was his second life changing experience.

Together, Lee and Melena enjoyed rewarding careers in the service of their country. Five days after being married, Lee left for assignment in Orleans, France and Melena followed a short time later. Their 3 years there were in perfect harmony, accountable only to each other (and the Army) in a romantic continental environment. After France, they accepted assignment to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho where Lee taught in the ROTC Department and Melena worked for a local firm. In 1969-1970, Lee served in Vietnam while Melena remained in Pocatello. Ensuing assignments included Fort Hood, Texas (Command Staff) 1970-1974 and then Erlangen, Germany where he directed a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation program for US Army Europe, 1974-1977. Fort Sheridan, IL (Chicago area) was the deal-breaker that prompted his retirement in October of 1977.

In 1978, Lee began a 15-year civil service career with the Navy in Bremerton, WA retiring in 1993 with 35 years combined Army and Civil Service. Together, Lee and Melena enjoyed 55 years total service to our country, unbelievable rewards of service and travel, and gratefulness for the opportunity.

In 1989, Lee and Melena built a home in Lakeland Village, Allyn (near Belfair on Hood Canal), and lived quietly in our surroundings until health issues dictated a move closer to the medical community. In July of 2001, the home at Lakeland Village sold and they moved to Lacey. Until Lee’s passing, he and Melena lived quietly in comfortable surroundings, spending time with family, golfing, fishing, and spending winter months in St. George, Utah. Lee volunteered in his local church and feels the Lord blessed him with 51 years of harmony and love married to Melena.