Thomas Eugene McMillen Sr

Thomas Eugene McMillen, Sr, age 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on May 8, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Tom was born April 11, 1935, in Rochelle, Illinois, the oldest of 4 children. He is survived by 4 of his 5 children – Daniel (Jane) McMillen, Tom (Sandy) McMillen, Jr., Kathie Warner and Brenda McMillen and his son-in-law, Brad Burke. He leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and 2 brothers, Malcolm (Pat) and Phil (Kate) McMillen. Tom was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Claudine, his daughter Nancy, his grandson Christopher, 2 foster daughters (Jeanine and Marsha), his sister Marian and his parents, Jack and Thelma. Tom met the love of his life, Claudine, in high school in Illinois and they married in 1954. Tom was attending Wheaton College when they married, with the goal of becoming a missionary. He left Wheaton as his family began to grow, but he never gave up his goal of becoming a missionary. The world was his mission field, and he had a positive influence on every person he met. Within a few short years Tom and Claudine had 4 small children and they moved to Fort Collins in 1962, with the goal of starting afresh in a new city. Tom went to work for the City of Fort Collins Light & Power department, starting as a Lineman and working his way up to Supervisor/Crew Chief, retiring after 35 years of service. He was well loved and respected within the city, and he enjoyed his work and his teammates. Tom developed the electrical safety program “Look up and Live” and he delivered the program to many children around Fort Collins. Tom was very engaged in his community and volunteered as a reserve Police Officer in Fort Collins for 11 years, from 1970-1981. Tom and Claudine loved children and were foster parents to 85 children over 27 years of their marriage. Their house was always filled with children, laughter and love. The McMillen’s were members of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Fort Collins and Tom served on their Deacon board for many years. He and Claudine managed the AWANA children’s program at Faith, and later, they taught Sunday School to 2-year-olds and mentored the teen helpers in the classroom with them. The church was an integral part of Tom’s life. In his spare time, Tom loved to camp and fish and every summer he and Claudine would take their children and foster children to Glen Echo for a week of outdoor fun. In 1978, Tom and Claudine bought a lot in Crystal Lakes, Colorado and began construction of a cabin, which they built from the ground up with the help of their children and Tom’s father Jack. Most every weekend found them working at the cabin, surrounded by children and grandchildren. The cabin was a love project and Tom poured his heart into each log that went into the construction. Tom was a devoted father, husband and grandfather. His grandchildren all have wonderful memories of their time with Grandpa. He was their AWANA leader, and he taught them to fish, shoot, and enjoy the outdoors. He was their mentor and role model, demonstrating and teaching them about the love of Jesus Christ. Tom was an excellent husband to Claudine, and he spent the last several years of their marriage lovingly caring for her as her health declined. After she passed away in 2017, Tom continued to live independently and stayed very involved in the lives of his family. In 2022, when his own health declined, Tom moved into Collinwood Assisted Living Center and together with his brother Phil and sister-in-law Kate, he created a Sunday morning church ministry for the residents of Collinwood. As Tom told his family, he believed that God had directed him to Collinwood to bring the gospel and the joy of the Lord into the residents’ lives. He was a favorite among the Collinwood residents and staff, and they will miss him greatly. When we think of Tom (Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Friend) we think of love. He lived his faith every minute of every day. He loved everyone unconditionally and his kind spirit, gentle eyes and joyful smile will never leave our memories. He was modest and humble. His faith was the cornerstone of who he was, and his legacy will live forever through his influence on his friends and his family. We mourn his loss here on earth, but we are assured that he is cradled in the loving arms of Jesus and celebrating with the family members who preceded him to his eternal home. Welcome home, good and faithful servant of the Lord. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 20 at 11:00 AM at Faith Church of Fort Collins, 3920 S Shields Street, Fort Collins, CO. A reception will immediately follow at the church and a graveside service will be conducted at Resthaven Memory Gardens at 2:00 PM that same day. All who knew Tom or were touched by his love are welcome to attend.