Ray Monroe Mcmillen

Ray Monroe McMillen was born February 14, 1939 to Reverend Raymond and Elsie
(Thomason) McMillen in Oologah, Oklahoma. He had an older sister Darlene and a younger
sister Eva McMillen Maynor. He also had two younger brothers, Leonard and Kenneth. He
entered eternal rest on January 8, 2021.

Monroe grew up in Oologah, Oklahoma as the son of a preacher. He attended Snarr school
until the 9th grade and then went to Oologah High School where he graduated in 1957. While in
high school he took a class in drawing and engineering from Mr. Swandall. This would later
lead to his career in drafting. He also played basketball, softball, rode horses, and worked local
ranchers and dairies in the area. One of those ranchers was Carson Mendell who he helped
with farming and milking. He also worked for Fred Bryson on his dairy. Monroe would start
milking at 4:00 am and finish up in time to walk to school for basketball practice. Then he would
go back in the evening to do chores. He then worked for Whitey Crose on his ranch. After high
school he attended Okmulgee Tech where learned auto body repair. He married the love of his
life, Norma Lou Penner, on June 30, 1960, where they enjoyed 58 beautiful years together.
Monroe was Drafted into the Army in 1962 and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma,
Washington. He and Norma welcomed their first son, Kip Monroe into the world on December
16, 1964. They also took in Norma's niece and nephew, Paula and Kenny while stationed in
Washington. After discharge, Monroe moved the family back to Oologah where they would
welcome a second son Daren Lee on April 8, 1967. In 1969 Monroe purchased land and built
their forever home. He was ordained as a deacon in August 1969 at Zion Hill Free Will Baptist
Church. He loved to sing for the Lord. The church was very important to Monroe. He was very
instrumental in building the present Zion Hill Church building.

Monroe worked as draftsman for Davy-McKee for over 30 years and Holly Frontier for 26 years
until he was forced to retire in October 2020. Through the years Monroe drew many blueprints
for homes for families to build in the community. When he wasn’t working he enjoyed team
roping. He partnered with Jerry McMillen to raise longhorn cattle and raise good roping stock.
They built an arena and started putting on jackpot ropings every Tuesday and Friday night.
Monroe was a passionate man. He loved the Lord, He loved his family, He loved the church,
He loved to work, he loved his horses, he loved his cows and still loved to team rope. He loved
to paint, he loved to whittle, do leather work and build stuff. But nothing beat watching his
grandkids participate in their activities. He was a proud PaPa!

Monroe is survived by his sons Kip McMillen and his wife Karen, of Paden, OK; Daren McMillen
and wife Laura, of Prairie Grove, AR. His grandchildren Kelton McMillen and wife Summer of
Paden, OK; Mikayla Owens and her husband Blakemore of Prairie Grove, AR; Kyler McMillen
and wife Megan of Claremore, OK. Great grandchildren Sonora McMillen and Wesley McMillen,
of Paden, OK; Leighton Owens and Ryker Owens of Prairie Grove, AR.

Monroe is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Norma Lou (Penner) McMillen, his parents, his sister Darlene, 2 infant brothers Leonard and
Kenneth and his grandson Labrier Kade McMillen.

Visitation will be 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home. The family will be present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the Zion Hill Church with Rev. Wendell Ban officiating. Interment will follow at the Wann Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.