ROBERT LEE, TX - Conrad J. Millican passed away in the Robert Lee Care Center on Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. He was born on Nov. 7, 1925, in the Edith community, Coke County, Texas, to William M. Millican and Jewie Brown Millican

Conrad "Connie" was a veteran of World War II and served in the European theatre. Then, while en route to Japan as part of an invasion force when Nagasaki and Hiroshima were bombed, he became part of the first occupation force that served in Japan after it surrendered.

After his discharge from the Army, he returned to Coke County, where he met and married Pauline Peek, a schoolteacher and coach at Robert Lee. They then made their home in Coke County, where he began ranching with his dad.

During the drought of the 1950s, he moved his family to Arlington, Texas. Daddy said he had to move because the drought was so bad, all he could raise was "kids." Daddy went to work in 1953 for Chance-Vaught, a manufacturer of military aircraft as a machinist, a job at which he excelled. He was involved in his job as one of the machinists on several experimental aircraft prototypes for the military and also worked as an instructor teaching the math skills and problem solving required to become a machinist.

Even though he really enjoyed his work, there were things he liked more. So in 1960, he returned with his family to Coke County, back to ranching, which he had never really fully left. He raised cattle, sheep and quarter horses. He was always trying to improve his stock and land. Horses and the land held a special place with him. Daddy was always perfectly content to be horseback doing whatever needed to be done, riding his favorite horse at the time. He had several over the years.

He was a faithful member of Pecan Baptist Church, serving as a deacon for almost 50 years, and church treasurer also for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Polly Millican; five children and their spouses, Jarrel and Linda Millican of Water Valley, Sherry and John Lacy of Brenham, Steven and Paquita Millican of Zaragosa, Spain, Tim and Pam Millican of Robert Lee, and Elaine and Russ Ketner of Washington, Okla.; 15 grandchildren and their spouses, Lori Millican Miller, Vance and Jenny Millican, Eli Millican, Nicole and Darren Friedel, Natalie and Harper Lange, Johnny Lacy, Karla and Matthias Lassen, Alex Millican, Scot and Wendi Millican, Heather and Greg Conner, Matthew and Katie Millican, Erin Ketner, Tyler Ketner, Jacob Ketner and Luke Ketner; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister and spouse, Joy Millican Blake and Charles Blake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and four sisters.

He was a husband, Daddy, Granddad, Great-Granddad, and a rancher. He was a man of many talents who will be greatly missed.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Robert Lee Baptist Church with burial to follow at Paint Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are by Shaffer Funeral Home.

As printed in the San Angelo Standard Times

Publication Date: September 22, 2007