Lt. Col. John Carl Millard

Lieutenant Colonel John "Jack" Millard passed away and entered into eternal peace on March 21, 2016. John was born on Nov. 1, 1940, in Kingston, N.Y., to James and Helen Millard (both deceased). He graduated from Kingston High School in Kingston. He attended Manhattan College, where he was active in his fraternity and glee club. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1962. In 1963, John joined the United States Air Force in Lackland, Texas. While serving as a captain at Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael, Calif., he met the love of his life, his wife Susan (deceased), and they were married on Dec. 6, 1969, at the Gunter Air Force Base Chapel in Montgomery, Ala. They were married for almost 45 years. After leaving Hamilton Air Force Base, they traveled across the United States and throughout the world, being stationed overseas, including South Korea and Taiwan. In 1974 to 1980, they moved to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. During that period, they adopted their son, James, in 1978. In 1980, the family moved to the Philippines. It was there they adopted their daughter, Katherine "Katie." The family then moved to Torrejon Air Base in Spain and then to Langley AFB in Virginia. John worked as an air command and control staff officer for 20 years; air weapons director for two years and one month; and commander, air command and staff officer for three years. On May 1, 1988, he retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After retiring, they moved to Klamath Falls, Ore. John enjoyed scuba diving in his younger years, collecting coins, camping and fishing with his family, watching college basketball, and doing crossword puzzles. He was a true Neil Diamond fan and loved listening to music and dancing with his family in his home. He had a deep devotion to service and his Catholic faith and could often be found at the local parish helping count collections, assisting with the St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank and volunteering his time at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. John was a caring and compassionate individual who always put his family first. His wife, children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. The legacy of John's dedication to his faith, passion and his love will live on forever through them. John is survived by son, James Millard and grandson, Connor Wynn; daughter, Katie Wood, son-in-law, Michael, and grandson, Kai; niece, Jeri Hirsh, husband, Mike, and sons, Adam and Luke; niece, Jami Hoslet, husband, Jeff, and children, Nicholas, Heidi, and Hannah; nephew, Mike Johnson, wife, Nina, and children, Katy and Joey; nephew, JB Johnson, wife, Shannon and children, Zach, Mason and Blake; and brother-in-law, Louis Kral, wife, Martha, niece, Maddie, and nephew, Louis. An evening vigil service of the holy rosary will be recited on Friday, April 1, 2016, at 7 p.m. in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday April 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. in St. Pius with a reception to follow in the parrish hall. Inurnment will immediately follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Pelican Post No. 1383.