Dates
After a long courageous battle with Wegener's disease, Conrad Jarrel Millican, Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 9, 2015. Visitation will be held all day Saturday, April 11, 2015 and Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the funeral home with family present from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2015 at Hillcrest Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Water Valley Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home.
Jarrel made his appearance in this world on December 15, 1947 in San Angelo, Texas, and his parents Conrad and Pauline Millican couldn't have been prouder. He was the oldest of five children. In the summer of 1957 during a revival, Jarrel was saved at Woods Chapel in Arlington, Texas. He graduated from Water Valley High School in 1966 with a huge class of four students. From 1967-1969, he served as a cook in the Army while stationed in Germany where he learned to concoct his famous "icebox soup." He married the love of life, Linda, on August 8, 1970, and they remained inseparable until his final breath.
No other man walked this earth like Jarrel Millican, and no one ever will again. His mind, his hands, and his heart were never idle- always planning, always creating, always loving. He blessed all those around him with his unique sayings such as "fine as frog hair" and "handy as a pocket on a shirt." Jarrel left a lasting impression with all who met him. He exhibited an incredible storytelling ability- able to remember the most minute of details as he either entertained or educated his listener with his tales.
Many homes and businesses contain the fruits of his labor- incredibly crafted houses, lovely furniture pieces, and even triple bunk beds for dolls. He was the original recycler with the ability to turn what most would consider as scraps to handcrafted treasures. At the surprisingly young age of 24, Jarrel began his career as a construction supervisor in 1972 in Alpine, Texas, where he worked on the Highway Department Building. He worked as a building construction superintendent overseeing projects such as the fountains at the Mercado, Kirby Park, Bell Street Sports Complex, but his wife's favorite though, of course, was the first Starbucks in San Angelo. The list of his career achievements span beyond these mentioned. His legacy of true craftsmanship and ingenuity are evident in simply too many homes and establishments to name.
His food passions were a distinctive part of his personality: peanut butter and crackers, bologna sandwiches, pickled eggs, jalapeños with anything, sauerkraut, bread (Mom's homemade preferably), and anything pumpkin whether it be bread, cake, or pie. He loved viewing John Wayne movies (those who love him have compared Jarrel to John Wayne on more than one occasion) and The Vikings series, watching sports (on TV or in person) and being outside working on the garden or in his shop. Above all, Jarrel was a selfless loving husband, father, and grandpa. He always said he wanted his children to be better, do better than him, but frankly, that just isn't possible.
He was preceded in death by his father, Conrad Millican.
He is survived by his wife- Linda Millican; his mother Ruby Pauline; his children, Lori Huitt and husband Terry, Vance and wife Jenny, Eli and wife Audrey; his grandchildren Garret Miller, Channing Miller, Talli Millican, Ashlyn Millican, Tim Huitt and wife Kym, Shandi Scott and husband Daniel; his great grandchildren- Kynzlee Crawley and Easton Scott; his siblings, Sherry and husband John Lacy, Tim Millican and wife Pam, Steven Millican and wife Paquita, Elaine Ketner and husband Russ, as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.