Donald Raymond McMillan

McMillan, Donald

Pinckney, MI

His Legacy… Donald Raymond McMillan, 79, passed away February 26, 2023.  He was born on July 6, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan to Chester McMillan and Edna Althea (Moorhead) McMillan. Don was raised in Ferndale, Michigan, graduated from Ferndale High School in 1961, and was active in the social fraternity Black and White. He studied psychology at Michigan State University and worked summers at Blaney Park Resort in the Upper Peninsula. Don married the love of his life, Lisa Rush, on March 26, 1988, in Coronado, California. Don thrived on engaging with people, and was truly at ease doing so. He wanted to listen and hear their stories rather than pontificate with an “I know better” attitude. In his earlier years, he was a social worker in Oakland County and did individual and family therapy. Don had a deeply profound knowledge of psychology, which led him to seek out training by some of the top therapists in the country. He was a mentor to several, both locally and across the county. Some of his mentees included former professional athletes who were looking to make the transition to a career in business. Meanwhile, Don had started his own management consulting business, which would include contracts with companies such as Pepsi and the Department of Defense. APT Consulting continued to flourish over the next several decades. Don had a burning curiosity about the world and challenged himself to go beyond something he had already learned and mastered to trying to understand new ways of thinking. Moreover, he had a passion for sharing these new ideas with others. Don was very well read and would often give a book recommendation after a conversation with someone. He also loved Shakespeare and was an avid history buff. Don could recite Shakespeare quotes and people would be engrossed by his colorful elaborations about any era in history. He had a very keen sense of humor and could make anybody laugh. Every phone call started with a joke as a way of greeting. He loved going on vacations on the water with his family. Don was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by his family and others whose lives he had touched.

His Family… Don will be missed by his wife, Lisa McMillan; his children, Drew (Lindsey) McMillan, Caley McMillan; nephews, Michael Ennis-McMillan, Patrick Ennis; niece, Colleen Ennis; and his faithful yellow lab, Riley. He is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Althea McMillan; and sister, Lorna “Bunny” Ennis.

His Farewell… Don’s family and friends will gather for a celebration of life at a later date.

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