Dennis McMillin

Dennis Lee McMillin
June 28, 1948 - May 3, 2015
Dennis Lee McMillin, 66, of Caldwell passed away at home on May 3, 2015, after a short battle with brain cancer. Dennis was born June 28, 1948 to Ivan E. McMillin and Viva R. Melton Brooks. He lived his entire live in Caldwell and during his school-aged years was active on the wrestling team and a little league baseball team Ivan sponsored. Growing up, he spent summers working in Ivan's painting business. Ivan renamed the company to "McMillin & Son" and the two worked side by side for many years.
Dennis married Sandy Alsup in 1965 and their son, Michael Lee, was born in October of that year, but only lived a few short hours after birth. In 1968, Dennis joined the Army and served his country as part of Company C-14th Engineer Battalion (combat) in the Vietnam War. After returning home in 1970, Dennis, like many of his veteran brothers and sisters, had difficulty adjusting to civilian life and he and Sandy divorced in 1971. Dennis was extremely proud of his service, but struggled throughout his life with the invisible scars of battle that take a lifetime to overcome. In 1973, Dennis married Diana Wilson, and they divorced in 1976.
In February of 1977, Dennis met Georgia Rae Pursley, but they weren't exactly strangers. They lived just blocks away from each other as children and even appear together in their 3rd grade class photo! Georgia and Dennis began their nearly 40-year adventure in love, friendship, and family by eloping in Winnemucca, Nevada on April 22, 1978. Marrying Georgia and becoming a stepfather to her four children was a whole new challenge for Dennis, but he approached it as he did everything in life: head on. He taught the kids to value the little things: family, new experiences, and memories. Good times were many, whether it was with family root beer floats on Friday TV night or when he shared his love of nature by spending many summer days camping with the kids, usually on their Secesh River property. He enjoyed watching them play in the river, fish, and exploring the wilderness. Winters included snowmobile rides with the kids on the back, arms wrapped around him, confident he would always keep them safe. He was tough, but fair, with simple expectations - act with integrity, be honest, and "use your damn head." Ultimately, he succeeded as the patriarch of a big, happy, only slightly crazy family and the stories he told about the hijinks during times with the kids made people laugh until their sides hurt.
After the kids left home, Dennis and Georgia spent time together as hunting buddies or camping with friends at the Secesh property and other areas of Idaho. They hosted wildlife game feeds on the 4th of July and everyone would cut firewood, go four wheeling, drive to Warren for a beer, or take a swim in the Bergdorf hot springs. The best times were spent sitting in camp, poking at the fire, and telling stories. Dennis even set up the "Secesh Movie House" for everyone to enjoy.
Dennis was very social and loved to sit at the pub with a toddy, laughing (and arguing!) with the people he knew and was always an epic storyteller. If you were fortunate enough to hear him tell a story once, you were surely fortunate to hear it again…and again. Because he had a big personality, lived life fully, and was brutally honest, he probably seemed "cantankerous" to those who don't like strong personalities. But he holds a very special place in the hearts of those who understood, respected, and appreciated his humor, strength, and special brand of vulnerability. His loyalty to anyone he called "friend" was unwavering and he built numerous lifelong friendships. Despite his own willingness to always help a friend in need, he was truly overwhelmed by the love and dedication displayed by his friends during his illness; a testament to how deeply he touched the lives of the people around him.
Dennis worked for businesses in Caldwell and surrounding area including Shorb Printing Company, Feller Trucking, C&M Farms, and ultimately retired from Parma Post & Pole in 2009. He was a jack-of-all-trades, but enjoyed the independence of truck driving most of all. At the time of his death, he was a member of the American Legion Post #35, the Caldwell Elks Lodge #1448 (13 years) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3691 (30 years).
The family wishes to thank staff from Encompass Home Health and Hospice, St. Alphonsus Cancer Care, and to express our love and appreciation to friends and family for all of their help and the numerous visits and phone calls of encouragement over the last few months.
Dennis is survived by his wife Georgia; his children Teresa Page, Daniel Page, Kathryn (James) Turner, Adam Weygandt, and Melyssa Tapia; his grandchildren Nicole, Chad, Summer, Jessica, Kendra, Sierra, Joseph, Aidan, Angelina, Kurtis, Kasey, and Able; his great-grandchildren Oryan, Shawn, and Jenna; his brother Robert (Carol) McJunkin, his niece Mindy (Jim) Kershner, and the many friends that were as close as family. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Viva, sister LeAnn Loveland, son Michael Lee, and nephew Kevin Adler.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 8, 2015 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. Burial will follow at Caldwell's Canyon Hill Cemetery. A viewing for friends and family will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel.
There will be a get together after the Burial services at the Eagles Lodge 815 Arthur St., Caldwell.
In lieu of flowers, Dennis requested donations for the VA Hospital in Boise (www.boise.va.gov/giving or 208-422-1176) or the Disabled Veterans Charitable Service Trust (www.cst.dav.org or by mail). Condolences can be given at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com