Lt. Col. (Ret) Marvin Lémon McMillian

"I have Fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2nd Timothy 4:7

Marvin L. McMillian, Sr., Lt Col (Ret) was born December 5, 1955, son of the late Charles Johnson and Delores McMillian in Welaka Florida. He peacefully entered into eternity Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Marvin attended Crescent City Public School in Welaka, Florida. Thereafter, he attended Miami Dade Community College and earned an Associate Degree in Computer Programming.

Marvin was joined in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Linda A. Sims on April 16th, 1979 in Shalimar Florida. This union was blessed with 4 children; Marvin Jr., Chris Sr.,  Marsha, Timothy Sr. Marvin dedicated his life to the Lord while serving in Germany at Ramstein AFB.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1976 and received his commission through Officer Training School in 1979. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Troy State University in 1979 and a Master of Science degree in Teleprocessing Science from the University of Mississippi in 1998.  Lt Col McMillian was a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Arm Forces Combined and General Staff College and Air War College.

As the Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Systems (J6), United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), he directed a staff of 65 government professionals advising the commander in Chief (CINC) and USSOUTHCOM on all C4I matters.

Marvin, began his career as an Airman and worked his way up on a fast tract to success.  As a Lieutenant he worked for HQ Air Force as a Program and Budget System Analyst for the AF Data Services Center in the Pentagon. As a Captain, he looked forward to more challenging positions as a Senior White House Systems Analyst, then to his first overseas assignment as Chief, Wing Command and Control (WCCS) Integration and Implementation branch for European Communications Division, Ramstein Air Base Germany. He was promoted early to Major and was assigned as the Director of Maintenance, European Communications Division, Ramstein AB, Germany. After two back-to-back school assignments, he was assigned to HQ Defense Information Systems Agency, Arlington VA as the team chief for the Director's Group. He was promoted to Lt Col, January 1995.

Lt Col McMillian was served as the Commander, 39th Communications Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey. Successfully completing his command tour, he moved to Miami, Fl as the chief, Information Assurance Division (J62) USSOUTHCOM and in December 1998 he was assigned as the deputy director.

Lt Col McMillian accolades includes the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one Oak Leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (one Oak Leaf cluster), and a Joint Service Achievement Medal. He wears the Master Communications Badge and the Presidential Service Badge.

After retiring from the military in 1999, Marvin worked as the Program Manager for ManTech at USSOUTHCOM. In spring of 2009, he joined the Salient CRGT family as the Director, Command and Control Engineering and was promoted to Vice President, Operations and Engineering, Fayetteville in 2010.

Marvin was preceded in death by the parents who raised him, Will and Rosa Lee Charles; one brother; Adriane and two sisters, Andgree and Barbara.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his wife of 39 years, Linda; three sons: Marvin Jr., Chris, Sr. (Ashley) in VA.; Timothy, Sr. (Trudy-Ann) in MD.; one daughter: Marsha in CO.; seven grandchildren:  Marvin III, Cydney, Chris Jr., Xavier, Timothy Jr., Titus, and Olivia; adopted sons: Wade Barnes (Ebony), Chad Johnson (Tina). adopted daughters: Victoria, Angela and Daralyn; mother: Delores (Johnny); stepmother: Gladys; six brothers: Andre (LaNorita), Brian (Amy), and Santos (Jannell); Charles Jr., Seth and Tony; two sisters: Ardgria (Ronald); Michelle (Steven); mother-in-law: Mary Ferguson; four brothers-in-law: Alfonso (Marie), Willie James, Willie, Kenneth; sisters-n-law: Barbara, Ronda (Jeffery), Shaquatta, Paquatta, Jean (Carlton), Trixie (Leroy), Telisha, Cynthia, Stephanie; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

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