Dr. Edgar R. McMillan

Services for Dr. Edgar R. McMillan, 78, of Tyler, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at Lloyd James Funeral chapel with Dr. Charles Dodson officiating. Burial is in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Dr. McMillan passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, in Tyler.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1930, in Bullard to the late R.T. and Dixie Turner McMillan.

He was a graduate of Tyler High School, Tyler Junior College and ETSU (now Texas A&M at Commerce) where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Education degree. He received a Doctor of Education degree from Western Colorado University. He was a teacher at Pine Springs for three years, the principal at Mattie Jones for four years, Marsh Elementary for three years, Rice Elementary for 22 years and Bonner Elementary for five years. He was a charter member and a deacon at The Woods Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War four years where he received a Purple Heart and an air medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He was named as the 1982 outstanding principal by the state PTA. He was a life member of the local and national PTA as well as the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervision Association (TEPSA). He was listed in Who's Who in Education, was an Eagle Scout and unit commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a charter member and first president of Rose Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. He was a life member of St. John's Masonic Lodge, charter member of Sharon Shrine Temple and former member of Sharon Shrine Band. He was chairman of the board of the Cooperative Teacher's Credit Union for 17 years. After retirement in 1996, he was chosen as one of the Tyler Independent School District's 120 nominated heroes. He was also an ETMC volunteer for 12 years.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bennie Jean McMillan of Tyler; sons, John McMillan of Arp and Scott McMillan and wife Shana of Burleson; and grandchildren, Hanna and Chelsea.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to The Hamptons at Pine Forest memory care and Heart to Heart Hospice.

Pallbearers are Wayne Boshears, Glenn Hicks, Ben Lauderdale, Harold Richardson, Jack Jones, Don Deason, Dr. Sam Raborn, Bob Stagner, Don Agnew and Aubrey Sharp.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Lloyd James Funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, 75219; Heart to Heart Hospice, 1402 Rice Road, Suite 100, Tyler, 75703; Alzheimer's Alliance of NE Texas Inc., 211 Winchester, Tyler, 75701; or The Woods Baptist Church, 4502 University Blvd., Tyler, 75707.