Major Gene Weston McMillen

Services for Major Gene Weston McMillen, 85, of Ada, are pending at this time.

Gene passed away Friday, February 21, 2025 at home with his wife by his side.  He was born July 24, 1939, in Des Moines, Iowa to Cecil Harvey and Veta Edith Warden McMillen.

Gene retired from the United States Army.  He became a pilot and served multiple tours in Vietnam, flying hundreds of hours in a "Birddog".  His primary mission was to draw enemy fire then direct ground and air strikes against them.  Gene loved to fly his planes, hunt and fish, and anything to do with firearms.  Gene built many beautiful black powder rifles and custom pistols.  He was a member of the Army Sharpshooters team and won many of those events and awards.

He is survived by his loving wife, Tommie Picazo, whom he dated for 17 years and they married February 13th, 2022; his daughter, Wendy McMillen and husband Patrick Lee; his granddaughter, Danielle McMillen (currently is serving in the Marines) and husband Lawrence Romuq; 2 great granddaughters; 4 step children, Beronica Rich and husband Bryan; Jose Picazo, Tereza Picazo, Daniel Picazo and wife Carol; 7 step-grandchildren; 6 step great grandchildren.; special friend Bruce Staal and wife Tammy; and 1 brother, Bill McMillen.

He was preceded in death by his parents.