Arthur Lambert McMillian, Jr.

Arthur Lambert McMillan, Jr. (79) of Hamilton County, Florida passed away at HCA North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, Florida on April 12, 2024, after battling cancer.

 Arthur was born on April 12, 1945, in Panama City, Florida to Arthur Lambert McMillan, Sr. and Bonnie Lee McDaniel McMillan. His family subsequently moved to Valdosta, Georgia. After graduating from Valdosta High School, Arthur attended Vanderbilt University and graduated in 1968 with a BS in electrical engineering. He joined the Navy and served two tours in the SeaBees (Construction Battalion) in Vietnam, primarily working to maintain and repair generators and other equipment.

 He married Elaine Parrish in 1967 and they had two daughters. After leaving the Navy (Arthur always appreciated President Nixon for getting him home in time for his first daughter’s birth), he settled in Valdosta. Arthur worked in the family business, Valdosta Armature Works, Inc. for the entirety of his career, expanding the business in the 1980s to include well drilling and service.

 A man of many talents, Arthur worked on various projects throughout his life. He was instrumental in the design and building of Lee Street Baptist Church’s Living Christmas Tree, an annual Valdosta presentation for over a decade. He had a lifelong passion for aviation and was thrilled the day he got his private pilot’s license. He loved flying, attending local air shows, and especially appreciated the EAA Airventure Airshow in Oshkosh, WI, the largest annual gathering of aircraft and aviation enthusiasts.

 After retirement, Arthur moved to Hamilton County, Florida and enjoyed his final years with his companion, Evelyn Davis, building his house, helping neighbors with anything and everything, and spending time with friends. He enjoyed helping Evelyn with her cows and farm and always loved watching the wildlife. 

 Arthur is survived by his companion, Evelyn Davis (Jasper, FL), his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and George Harper (Boca Raton, FL), his daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Wade Armistead (Brentwood, TN) and Meredith and Kevin Lancaster (Valdosta, GA), grandchildren, Hannah Armistead (Boston, MA), Mary Claire Armistead, Luke Armistead, and Eliana Armistead (Brentwood, TN), Katelyn Lancaster and Rebecca Lancaster (Valdosta, GA), his former wife, Elaine McMillan (Valdosta, GA), and his cousin Memorie Loughridge (Mayo, FL). He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur L. McMillan, Sr. and Bonnie M. McMillan, and his sister, Gail Patricia McMillan.

 The family is incredibly grateful to his doctors and the nursing staff at HCA North Florida for their care in Arthur’s final days. In accordance with his wishes, Arthur’s remains will be cremated with the ashes to be scattered privately.