Roger Kenneth McMillan died December 28, 2023 in Spokane, Washington. He was born January 7, 1942 in Missoula, Montana to the late Jerry and Gwen McMillan.
He spent his early childhood in Spokane, then Jerry and Gwen relocated the cleaner’s business to Colville, where shortly thereafter Jerry invented specialized laundry machines and started the Colmac business while Roger then graduated from Colville High School in 1960. He met Dee at Washington State University (Go Cougs!) and they were married July 18, 1964, and where he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1966, then spent 2 years in the US Army as a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant in the Ordinance Corps stationed at Ft Dix, New Jersey.
Roger and Dee thereafter returned to Colville, Roger working in engineering and product development at Colmac Industries in 1969 until Jerry’s sudden passing in 1974, then running the company until 2002 and retiring in 2005, along the way building the second Colmac business, Colmac Coil Manufacturing. Left handed, yet playing right handed, he was active in sports including football and basketball. While working in the military with the artillery he was famous for dancing even after the music stopped, ears still ringing, his hearing being “selective” ever since.
Roger spent many weeks and days traveling supporting the business, sometimes with Dee, all around the world, selling many machines, then coils and coming back with many stories.
Roger was a member of the Gideons and active in Kiwanis. He was continually active in church life and also golf and hiking, especially during retirement. He had the patience to teach Harrison to drive, attended all of Darby and Rosalie’s ballet performances and spending time with Brian and Savannah. Dee and Roger also much enjoyed their winter stays in Palm Desert, California.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents Jerry McMillan and Gwen McMillan, survived by his wife Dee McMillan, sister Carol and her family, sons Scott and Brian, grandchildren Savannah, Darby, Harrison and Rosalie, great grandson Carter and great granddaughter Aspen Jade “AJ.”
