Howard L. McMillan, Jr. was born August 29, 1938, to his wonderful parents, Mary Frances and Howard L. McMillan. He was raised in a loving family environment along with his brother, Wallace Edward McMillan who was born October 28, 1945 and predeceased him in November of 2015.
Howard attended Jackson public schools and was in the first graduating class of Murrah High School in May of 1956.
He attended the University of Mississippi where he received his BBA degree in Banking and Finance in May of 1960. During his Ole Miss years, Howard was an active member of Phi Delta Theta. He later graduated from the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University and the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
He met the love of his life, Mary Eliza Love in the fifth grade at Duling School and they were married in July of 1964. They had two beautiful children, Eliza Love Garraway and Howard L. McMillan, III.
Howard began his career with the Deposit Guaranty Bank in June of 1960 as a Management Trainee. He rose through the ranks and was named President of Deposit Guaranty Corporation in 1985 and two years later was named President of Deposit Guaranty National Bank. He served most of the remainder of his banking career in these two positions and retired as Chairman of the Deposit Guaranty System in early 2000.
During his banking days, Howard was very involved in improving the banking industry serving on many State and National Banking Committees. In 1992 he was named to the Board of Directors of the American Bankers Association and served as President of the ABA from 1994-1995.
He was named to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 1996 and served in that position with many Regional and National leaders in the banking industry.
In addition to his banking duties, McMillan was involved in many Civic activities. He served as Chairman of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Jackson Preparatory School, Chairman of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Chairman of the Board of the Mississippi Baptist Healthcare Systems. He was also President of the Board of the Jackson Country Club and Chairman of the Board of the Highlands Falls Country Club.
Howard was very involved in his Church life serving in many leadership positions at First Baptist Church and Northminster Baptist Church. He was Chairman of the Board of Deacons and a Life Deacon at First Baptist Church and a member of the Board of Deacons at Northminster Baptist Church.
Howard maintained his involvement with Ole Miss, serving as President of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and was named a member of the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
After completing his career in the Banking and Investment Industries, he joined the Else School of Management at Millsaps College as “Executive in Residence”. He was later named Dean of the Else School of Management and served in that position for 6 years. He also served Millsaps as it’s acting President for 1 year and retired from the college in 2012. Millsaps awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree and he was extremely proud of this recognition. He liked to refer to himself as a “Retired Academic”.
Howard’s hobbies included snow skiing, duck hunting, golf, and bridge. He loved his association with his “buddies” in all these activities and particularly enjoyed playing bridge where he made new friends and rekindled older relationships.
Howard is survived by his wife, Mary Eliza, his daughter Eliza Garraway (Rick), his son Howard L. McMillan, III (Gina), and five grandchildren, Katie Love Garraway Owen (Alston), Mary Hastings Garraway, Frederick W. (West) Garraway, III, Eliza Maria McMillan, and Howard L. McMillan, IV. Howard also has two great grandchildren Katherine Hastings Owen and James Alston Owen III.
Memorial gifts may be made to Northminster Baptist Church and the Else School of Management at Millsaps College.