Lr Millican

LR Millican entered into eternal life on Wednesday afternoon, January 2, 2013, at the age of 85 years 3 months 23 days. LR or ‘Tiny’ as his mother referred to him was born September 10, 1927 (his mother’s birthday) to Frank Andrew Millican Sr. and Mariam Rosengrants Millican. LR had two siblings: Frank Jr. (February 1921) and Amy Lee (August 1924). His father’s death on January 3, 1930 resulting from a snake bite that had left him with a bad heart, and his mother’s death from pneumonia on January 31, 1930, left the three children in the care of their mother’s sisters. Nat and Ruth Perkins took Frank and LR to their home southwest of Campo, Colorado. Nat and Ruth had two more sons, Jess William (June 1930) and Jimmie Dean (April 1937). Amy Lee went to live with Roll and Amy Yehle in Enid, Oklahoma where she also had two new brothers Lewis and Keith. LR and Frank were raised on the Ranch that Ruth Perkins had homesteaded. His mother taught school at Friendship School, but LR attended Bear School. LR and Frank would ride Duster 2 miles to and from school every day. When Frank went to live with Grandma Perkins to attend high school in Springfield, Jess was old enough to attend school, so it was Jess who took Frank’s place on Duster. Ruth Perkins, being a school teacher herself, insisted that all of her boys get a good education. LR attended grade school in Springfield, Bayfield and Campo; high school in Campo, Springfield, and Lamar; and graduated from Springfield in 1947. LR worked in Dodge City, Kansas on a core drill rig for 6 months. He and Jess would ride in the local rodeos. Jess rode broncs, and LR preferred bulls. Uncle Sam called LR to serve his country, and he did from December 2, 1950 to September 2, 1952. He left for Korea in June 1951 and returned April 1952. LR was stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado until his discharge. He was in King Company 32nd Infantry Regiment 7th Division and attained the rank of Staff Sergent. LR and Mona La Von Wessler were united in matrimony on February 10, 1953, in Clayton, New Mexico. The newlyweds began their married life on the ranch southwest of Campo. They welcomed two daughters: Cynthia Louise (October 23, 1953) and Mickey Sue (September 17, 1954). The young family moved to Springfield in September 1956 just in time to welcome their third daughter, Connie Jo Hanna (November 21, 1956). LR worked for the Forest Service from July 1955 to July 1958. In July 1958 he went to work for Colorado Department of Transportation. On December 3, 1987 after 29 ½ years of service he retired. LR would often tell stories of the nice people he met while flagging or maintaining the highways, and the number of crazy people who would travel during snowstorms and blizzards and have to be pulled out or taken to shelters. He always commented that after working all night plowing snow those yellow lights of Springfield were a welcome sight of home. LR went to work part-time for Peoples Credit Union as Field Man and Chattel Appraiser in February 1993 to February 2001. His job was to make certain the collateral listed on loan applications was still in the possession of applicants. He enjoyed this job because it enabled him to meet new people while renewing friendships and traveling around the country side. LR retired after 10 years of service. In order to support his family, LR worked two jobs. He would come home from the highway and then work another few hours as a farm laborer before calling it a day. He also worked Saturday mornings on the farm. During the years LR and Mona enjoyed playing cards, visiting the canyons, traveling, and attending the Hit and Miss Sunday School Class of the United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed fixing –up wrecked vehicles, because “they were running when they were wrecked.” LR and Mona tried never to miss a church program or school program or activity that their girls were in. He was so very proud of his family and their accomplishments. When the grandchildren Heather, Hylari, Jason, Courtney, Lynzea, and JoHannah began to arrive, they were thrilled. They then attended numerous church and school programs and activities for the grandchildren and enjoyed them all. When the great-grandchildren, or “greats”, arrived they felt very blessed and excited to have children around again. Unfortunately, LR had health problems with his heart. He suffered his first of four heart attacks in October 1979. Over Labor Day weekend 1997 he had a heart bi-pass and a pig valve replacement. This valve was only to have lasted 7 years but it was still working after 15 years. Recently LR was hospitalized in Parkview Hospital in Pueblo Colorado for 19 days. LR had come home to Springfield, Baca County at the time of his passing. LR was a dedicated family man. He was also known as a man of honor and integrity with a sense of humor, a man of few words with the ability to get straight to the point. Preceding LR in death: Parents: Frank Andrew Sr. and Mariam Rosengrants Millican, Ruth and Nat Perkins. In laws: Oscar and Clara Wessler, Elsie Wessler. Brother: Frank Andrew Millican Jr. Sister: Amy Lee Sloan. Brother-in-law: Ike Sloan, Eugene Wessler. Great-grandchildren: Aashlyn Lee, Trace Felton. Nephews: Andy Millican, Vonn Weelser, V.L. Wessler. Niece: Kelly Wessler. LR leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mona; daughters, Cindy (Rodney) Hetrick, Mickey Millican, and Connie (Jim) McKinley; grandchildren: Heather (Chris) Mendenhall Felton, Hylari (Warner) McKinley Smith, Jason (Crystal) Hetrick, Courtney (Kearen) Mendenhall Feller, Lynzea Hetrick and JoHannah McKinley; great-grandchildren: Tyler Pasewalk, KC Lee, McKinna Lee, Jade Feller, Taylee Felton, Tristyn Felton, Cole Feller, Skye Feller, Hope Feller, Kane Feller, and Page Feller; Brothers: Jess (Shalah) Perkins, Jim (Dorothy) Perkins; Brother-in-law: Melvin (Laura) Wessler; Sister-in-law: Ruth (A.R.) Wilson, and numerous cousin, nephews, nieces, and a host of friends.