Our dear friend and partner, John Burchfield McMillan, passed away February 6, 2019, after a long and truly courageous battle against cancer over a three-year span. But John’s life was not defined by that struggle. It was a big life indeed, marked by a wonderful marriage to his wife of more than 50 years, the former Angelyn Stokes, by two sisters, Julia and Mary, and brother, Robert, all of whom supported and adored John through his very last day. Tall and burly, John was a physical reflection of that life.
His judgment was always reasonable and measured, and to younger attorneys, he was accessible and quick to mentor. He was a natural leader in the Firm, in the bar and in the community. The State Bar gives out the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award annually to a deserving attorney – the title of which is all you really need to know about the kind of life John lived.
Each and every day, those who knew John could not help but have the greatest admiration and respect for him, as a lawyer and as a person. As one friend and colleague aptly put it, ‘John is the person we aspire to be, and it will be an ongoing effort.’
For more about John McMillan’s extraordinary life and legacy, we encourage you to read the following:
Obituary, as published in The News & Observer on February 10, 2019
