David E. McMillon, DVM, 64, died January 23, 2020, at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born July 21, 1955, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Hancel and Thelma (Houston) McMillon.
David grew up in Wichita, graduating from Wichita East High School in 1973. He attended Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1977 followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1980.
Dr. McMillon - or Dr. Dave - joined the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital in June of 1980. In 1989, he bought the practice from Dr. Ray Ganoung and maintained a solo practice hospital until 2009 when he hired Dr. Lindsay Mitchell as an associate. Dr. Dave retired in 2015, selling the practice to Dr. Mitchell. He then continued to work part time for the Downs Veterinary Clinic for the winter of 2016-2017. Dr. Dave was a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA, the Kansas VMA, and during his active years, a member of the American Bovine Practitioner’s Association.
Dave was a pillar of the community, a philanthropic heart, and a good neighbor to everyone. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he was involved for many years on the Administrative Council, serving several years as chairman, and also chaired the Finance Committee for six years. He served three years on the Trustees committee and the Staff/Pastor-Parish relations committee. He also taught the high school class of Sunday school for several years. He was one of the original board members for the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, serving for 12 years, including several years as chairman, where he helped organize the first foundation benefit auction and golf tournaments, and emceed the foundation auction for more than 20 years.
In his spare time, he coached baseball for the Hoisington Boys little league, Babe Ruth, and K-18 teams for about 10 years. His teams earned awards such as the Babe Ruth Regional tournament sportsmanship awards two years in a row. In 2016, his team won the K-18 state championship. He was honored to be an assistant coach for the Babe Ruth West team at the 2013 East/West All-Star game, but could always be found down at the ball fields cheering for everyone. Dave was also well known for his metal-detecting hobby, and not only could be seen showing off his treasures around town, but after retiring from his "on-call" time as a vet, remained on-call to find lost items with his metal detector. Finally, he has volunteered for a variety of Hoisington Labor Day activities over the years.
On August 5, 1999, in Hoisington, Kansas, he married Peggy and they had 20 years together.
Survivors include; Peggy McMillon of the home; son, Christopher McMillon and wife Michelle of Nashville, Tenn., daughter, Kelly Denney and husband Eric of Columbus, Ohio; stepdaughters, Megan Wilson of Lawrence, and Jackie Hudson and husband Benjamin of Gardner; sisters, Paula Radcliff of Dexter, and Joan Johnson of Winfield; six grandchildren, Abigail McMillon, Isabelle and Addison Denney, and Britton, Brecken, and Brilynn Hudson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may sign the book, Sunday 1-6 p.m., with family to receive friends from 3-5 p.m., at the funeral home. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2020, at First United Methodist Church, Hoisington, with Rev. Seong Lee and Ron Bailey presiding. Inurnment will be in Dexter, Kansas, at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial, the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City (https://www.kcdsg.org/supportkcdsg.php, or the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cbhfi, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.