Ron McMillan, age 75, of Columbia, passed away on September 8, 2023, at the Harry S Truman Memorial VA Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 13, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, also at Memorial Funeral Home. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri.

Ron was born to Charles “Dude” and Marjorie (Crews) McMillan on October 30, 1947, in Fayette, Missouri. After graduating from Fayette High School, Ron completed three tours in Vietnam with the Army First Calvary. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and received multiple commendations. Ron was always proud of his service and remained an advocate for veterans throughout his life as a member of the American Legion Post 202, serving as Commander of the American Legion Riders and Honor Guard and an Honor Flight escort. He also rode in Run For The Wall, an annual nationwide motorcycle ride to honor veterans, POWs, and those MIA. Ron rode once from Missouri to Washington, DC, and again from Missouri to California, then all the way to Washington, DC, and back home.

After meeting through mutual friends, Ron and Velma Suiter were united in marriage on August 12, 1972. From this union, two children were born: Lisa and Patrick. Although he had many jobs throughout his life, being a dad was always his favorite. He loved taking family trips and refereeing between the kids’ sports games. Even after the kids grew up, Ron maintained his involvement with local sports for many years, especially as an umpire for baseball and softball and as past President and board member of the Diamond Council. Of course, it was a family affair. He and Lisa created many memories working fast-pitch softball tournaments together.

Family ties were always a constant for Ron. He joined his father in running Mac’s bar in Fayette. He later opened his own restaurant outside Fayette, Ron’s Smokehouse. He loved to smoke foods and passed his enthusiasm on to his own son, Patrick. When Lisa’s son Henry came on the scene, Ron was thrilled to have a new buddy to take trips with. As Ron’s health began to fade, he decided to take two “Bucket List” vacations with the whole family: one to South Dakota and another to the Smoky Mountains. He simply refused to stop living life on his terms.

Ron is survived by his wife, Velma McMillan, of Columbia; daughter, Lisa Dolliver and grandson, Henry Dolliver, of Columbia; and son, Patrick (Melanie) McMillan, of Houston, Texas. He also leaves behind three siblings: Dana (Gus) Jacob, of Overland Park, Kansas; Brian (Peggy) McMillan, of Fayette; Laurie (Tim) Regan, of O’Fallon, Missouri; and a brother-in-law, Larry (Doris) Suiter, of Blue Springs, Missouri, as well as his mother-in-law, Christine Howard, of Boonville, Missouri. Also surviving are many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dude and Marge, as well as three uncles, J.A., Ernest Junior, and James McMillan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 202 (americanlegionpost202.org) or Welcome Home (welcomeveterans.org).

Share memories and condolences with the family online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.