Ronald Eugene McMillin

Go Utes ( A Utah Man Am I )

It is with great sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald E. McMillin. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all those who knew and loved him. He was colorful, charismatic, funny and loving. He was a man of generosity and always willing to help those in need or pick up the tab. He was a generous patron and performed many kind and gracious acts. He returned home to his Father-In-Heaven after a long battle with Parkinson’s, which limited his ability to get around in his later years. He loved and adored his family & friends. His gift-of-gab, storytelling and sense of humor, as well as his big smile and love of laughter, were enjoyed by all who knew him. He also taught us valuable life lessons, was naturally motivational, and had wonderful people skills. His beautiful example will remain with us forever.

He was born on a warm sunny day, the 28^th of May, 1943, to Aubrey E. McMillin and Marian Mortensen McMillin in Pasadena, California, both deceased. He had one sister, Joan M. Jensen, also deceased. He attended Salt Lake City’s East High School, graduating in 1961, and the College of Southern Utah, where he played football and formed lasting friendships. He also attended the University of Utah and Steven’s Henegar Business College. However, he was even more proud of graduating from what he called the "College of Hard Knocks,” Magna Cum Laude. After high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Brewster (deceased). In 2002, he married his soulmate, Sue Maudsley.

Ron had a successful and distinguished business and civic career. He spent more than 45 years working in various sales, marketing, and management roles. He served as Vice President of three banks in Salt Lake, Executive Vice President of Pro Utah, and Executive Vice President of Travel Utah. He held the positions of vice president and general manager at several feature film distribution companies. Additionally, he was the executive vice president, general manager, and president of multiple seminar companies and Coaching Sales Floors. He was a past president of the Utah Sales & Marketing Executives and the Intermountain Electrical Association. He also served as a director on numerous corporate, community, and trade association boards. Throughout his career, he earned many awards for his outstanding salesmanship, leadership, and management skills. His motto was “Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way.” After retiring, he worked as a consultant and advisor to Utah businesses, helping them develop sales and marketing strategies and solutions. Ron authored seven books and wrote numerous articles published in various magazines and trade journals.

Throughout Ron’s many careers, he helped, inspired, and collaborated with numerous friends and colleagues. He genuinely cared for his employees and showed sincere interest in their well-being, as well as that of their families. A passionate leader, he took great joy in witnessing their growth and success. As a result, many loved and admired him for his efforts on their behalf. He often said that much of his success stemmed from surrounding himself with wonderful, highly motivated people. He believed in the importance of hard work, problem-solving, and approaching life with a positive attitude. He led by example and took great pleasure in revitalizing companies, watching them expand and thrive. His motto was “No Dream is Too Extreme,” and he firmly believed that any goal could be achieved through hard work, persistence, and enthusiasm. Ron had the “X-factor.” He was a force of nature, his most remarkable gift being his ability to love and lift others. He worked hard to remember names and the essence of anyone he encountered. Ron always made you smile. He truly loved people and cared about them. He was a friend to all.

Ron was an avid sportsman, a longtime Crimson Club member, and a season-ticket holder. He was recently recognized for his thirty years of support for the Crimson Club. He was a loyal Ute and lived long enough to enjoy the Utes’ perfect seasons, Sugar Bowl victory, move to and win of the Pac-12 championship, and appearance in the Rose Bowl. His office was filled with U of U memorabilia. He advised everyone to choose the Red (CTR). He rarely missed a game and traveled with the team to season and bowl games whenever possible. He was also a ticket holder for Utah Jazz games and a member of the Jazz 100 club. He enjoyed tennis and golf in his younger days and played a lot of softball. He also loved coaching young men and continued mentoring many of them throughout their lives. Ron was a passionate fly fisherman. He loved fishing the Madison and Snake Rivers in Yellowstone, and he had fond and loving memories of the family cabin in Island Park. He made several trips to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut. He enjoyed bonding and spending quality time with his kids and grandkids on the river.

Ron loved and cherished his wife. He and Sue had a timeless marriage, one of true love, respect, and sharing. He cherished and adored her. He always said he’d learned so much from her. They worked and played together and loved their life, spending much of their time traveling and cruising and spending much of their time visiting the world’s many beautiful and magical destinations. They especially enjoyed their cruises and yearly visits to their happy places, including Maui, Hawaii, Mexico, Island Park, Jackson Hole, Coeur d’Alene, and the Oregon Beaches. Ron made our lives wonderful. We all felt loved and adored by him.

Ron loved his big, beautiful family. He was the dedicated patriarch and stayed in regular contact with all his children and grandchildren. He spent hours writing to each of them, fully invested in their happiness and success. He often talked with them on the phone and cherished these precious conversations. He wanted everyone to remember how deeply he loved them and how proud he was to be their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. No one could make us laugh like he did. He had a quick, contagious sense of humor. Nothing was better than being wrapped up in one of his hugs. He prioritized creating memories with his family, looking forward to spending time together, meeting for dinner, or sharing advice. He was also an excellent provider. He was investing in our success and set a good example for his children and grandchildren. His biggest regret was that his younger grandchildren might not remember him, but we have assured him that we will keep his memory alive. He was loving, protective and supportive. We will miss his bear hugs, big smile and that mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He was a kind and good man and loved by all. He will be greatly missed. We were his treasure, pride, and joy, and he was ours.

Ron lived his life with joy and gusto. He found the good and the positive in every person and situation. He was a disciple of “What you Focus on Expands,” and often said, “The measure of your life is not about one event, but the sum of your choices.” He always had a plan and was always looking forward to the next adventure or trip. He loved listening to or watching the news and wasn’t afraid to share his opinions and solutions for the world's problems. He always had something to look forward to and felt like he had checked every item off his bucket list. He often said he had made mistakes along the way and had regrets, but that he had enjoyed an amazing and rewarding journey. His legacy will be one of love, influence, second chances, generosity, and his willingness to share his knowledge and resources, leaving the world a better place than he found it.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed numerous callings and especially loved working with the youth, including the young men and the athletic programs. Ron strongly believed in the power of prayer, the plan of salvation, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He bragged unapologetically that he was a passionate, flag-waving constitutionalist, Republican, Christian, and Life member of the NRA.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sue, three sons, five daughters, eighteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. R. Scott McMillin (Sandra), Lisa Lynne Johnson (Jess), Kristi Ann Egan (John), Wynn Davis McMillin (Tiffany Jean), Tiffany Eve Peterson (Mark), Amie Kay McMillin, Jessica Danielle McMillin, Wynn Joshua McMillin (Shaunty). Ron’s Children and grandchildren were the sunshine of his life. Preceded in death by parents, ex-wife, his sister, and a daughter-in-law, Anne Ward McMillin.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, September 9^th at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South from 6pm to 8pm. Services will be held at the same location at 11am, on September 10^th with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Graveside ceremony to be held at the Mount Olivet Cemetery 1352 E. 500 South following the service.

To view the recorded service, please click on the Watch Services button above.