James P. "JP" McMillan Jr. of Red Springs died Friday, July 29, 2016 at Southeastern Regional Medical Center at the age of 92.
He was born July 18, 1924 in Robeson County to the late James P. McMillan, Sr. and Wilhelmina Hamer McMillan. He was preceded in death by siblings, Robert D. McMillan, Flora Bell McMillan Abernethy, son-in-law, John Terry Bullock and his grandson, Chris Clark.
He attended Philadelphus School in the Philadephus Community of Robeson County and graduated from Red Springs High School. He then attended Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, but left after one semester to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps, joining the Allied effort in World War II as a language specialist. He served as a signal radio intelligence specialist, in the China Burma India Theater assisting with defense of China.
He returned to Red Springs and shortly thereafter married Frances Campbell McPhaul of Red Springs. Their early life together was spent in Fayetteville where he worked for Sears Roebuck & Company in store management. The family relocated in 1953 to Red Springs and he farmed briefly with his father until he began his land surveying practice in 1955. He continued his surveying until retirement at age 85 in 2009.
He was a member of Red Springs Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon and elder in addition to singing tenor in the choir for 50 years. He was known for his musical talent and beautiful voice.
Over the years, he was active with the Red Springs Rescue Squad. He was an EMT and was one of the founding members of the Red Springs Rescue Squad. Later in life he worked with the China Burma India Veterans Association and served in various leadership positions with the organization. He was able to connect with many of this army buddies through the organization.
He loved flying private planes and was a pilot for many years. He was known as a honest and trustworthy person and business man.
He was a hunter and fisherman and shared his passion with is children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Frances M. McMillan of Red Springs; a son, James P. "Jim" McMillan, III (Anita) of Raeford; four daughters Donna McMillan Bullock of Raeford, Linda Ellen McMillan (Todd Williams) of Aberdeen, Laura McMillan Gaitley (Steven) of Laurinburg, and Dora McMillan Carter (David) of Sherrills Ford; a brother, Alex McMillan of Red Springs; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2016 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 220 E.4th Ave., Red Springs.
A committal service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Alloway Cemetery with full military honors.
A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Red Springs Presbyterian Church.
Memorials may be made to the Red Springs Rescue Squad, 927 E 4th Ave. Red Springs, NC 28377 or Southeastern NC Friends of NRA P.O. Box 1531 Pembroke, NC 28372
On line condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.