James Charles McMillan

James Charles McMillan Jr., 75, of Bluffton, SC passed away peacefully at Veterans Victory House surrounded by his family on July 16th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.  He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lorraine Miller McMillan, children Kim (Joseph) Striffler, James McMillan III, Doreen McMillan, and Timothy (Emily) McMillan, ten grandchildren and a younger sister, Sharon Coleman.

Jim was born January 30, 1944 in Brooklyn NY to James and Marion McMillan. He grew up in Richmond Hill, NY and attended Manhattan Aviation High School before joining the Air Force to pursue his passion for airplanes. After leaving the Air Force Jim had several careers, first as an aircraft mechanic for Eastern Airlines then starting J&L Home Repair. Lastly, he retired as a grip from I.A.T.S.E. Local 52, for which he filmed movies and TV shows around New York City. He raised his family in Brentwood, NY, where he was an avid fisherman and boater. In 2007, Jim and Lorrie moved from Long Island to Sun City Hilton Head where he enjoyed a well-earned retirement filled with table tennis, karaoke and pickle ball.

Carpenter, mechanic, loving  father, practical joker, dance instructor, driving instructor, the neighbor who helps you put up the window storm shields before the hurricane and brings his chainsaw to clean up after it, the husband who fills your gas tank when he borrows the car, competitive horse shoe tosser, veteran, hard worker…Jim wore many hats.  All who knew him were touched by his embrace of life, sense of humor, kindness, and indomitable spirit. While Alzheimer’s may have taken Jim’s memories, it can never take away the light and love that he left in the world. He is now at peace in heaven with a Johnnie Walker in one hand and a fishing pole in the other.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton with a memorial service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to mymemorymatters.org or act.alz.org.

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