2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 188

Celebrating the life of John Wilder McMillan, Jr.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 16, 2025

WHEREAS, John Wilder McMillan, Jr., a distinguished veteran of the United States Air Force and a respected community leader who served for many years on the Newport News School Board, died on July 4, 2024; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan grew up in Arlington, where he attended the historic Hume School and subsequently graduated from Wakefield High School; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and supported himself during his college years by working at the former Virginia Electric and Power Company; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan was a member of numerous organizations at Virginia Tech, including the Corps of Cadets, and was selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate; he later continued his education at West Virginia University, from which he received a master's degree in computer science; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan served the nation for 20 years as an officer in the United States Air Force with assignments to Strategic Air Command bases in California and Nebraska, the 13th Air Force in the Philippines, Headquarters Command in Washington, D.C., and Tactical Air Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, as well as a posting to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization working group; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his military career, John McMillan earned the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, and several other awards and decorations; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan returned to civilian life and provided his expertise to the Scientific Applications International Corporation, Techplan Corporation, and Mitre Corporation, and after settling in Newport News, he became active in his community as a member of the Dozier Middle School Parent Teacher Association and the Denbigh High School Band Boosters, as well as a youth athletics coach; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to young people in the community, John McMillan ran for and was elected to the Newport News School Board in 1996; he offered his insights to a wide range of committees and served as vice chair for two years and chair for two years; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Newport News School Board, John McMillan participated in the selection of two superintendents and oversaw the opening of four new schools; he was awarded life membership in the Newport News Council of PTAs, represented Newport News as a delegate to three Virginia School Boards Association Annual Conventions, and served for many years as a member of the Newport News Education Foundation; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his work with local public schools, John McMillan was appointed to the board of Thomas Nelson Community College, now known as Virginia Peninsula Community College, and served as chair from 2015 to 2017; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan gave generously of his time and talents to many other organizations, most notably the Kiwanis Club; he received the George F. Hixson Fellowship Award from Kiwanis International and was honored as a life member of the Capitol District Kiwanis Foundation; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan was a devoted family man, who supported his children in all their endeavors and went out of his way to never miss a sporting event or school program, sometimes traveling across multiple time zones to make it home; and

WHEREAS, John McMillan will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 59 years, Madeline; his children, Leigh, Anne, Nicholas, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Wilder McMillan, Jr., a respected veteran and dedicated community leader in Hampton Roads; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Wilder McMillan, Jr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.