Dr. Glenn Edward Millard returned to his heavenly home on March 15, 2022. Glenn was a model husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He was also a devoted servant, with over 40 years of ministry in the Methodist Church. Glenn was a part of the Muskogee community from 1985 to 1995 when he served as the Senior Pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Glenn’s caring, kind, and cheerful nature will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Glenn was born on November 5, 1933 in Bristow, Oklahoma to Guy and Faye Millard. He was raised around Oklahoma with his two sisters, as his father was also a Methodist minister. Glenn received his local preacher’s license in 1949 at the age of sixteen. He graduated from Wilburton High School in 1951. After graduating from East Central State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957, he was called by God to the ministry and attended seminary at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He was ordained an elder in the Methodist Church in 1960. While at SMU, he was student preaching in the small southern Oklahoma town of Terral, where he met his wife Mary. The two were married on August 19, 1960 in Terral.
Together they moved to Chickasha, as Glenn had been appointed to Christ Church. Next, Glenn served at First United Methodist Church as Associate Minister and Youth Director in Oklahoma City, where they welcomed their first child Todd Alan in 1963. Over the next few years, the church called them to several towns across Oklahoma, including Elmore City, Fort Cobb-Highland, Wakita-Manchester, and Madill, as Glenn continued to spread the word of the Lord. Their daughter, Traci Lynn, was born in Chickasha in 1966. In 1976, the church called Glenn to serve in Elk City where he was the Senior Pastor at Elk City UMC until 1985. During his time in Elk City, Glenn met and later ‘married’ Miss America, Susan Powell, during her wedding ceremony in 1986. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Oklahoma City University on May 10, 1986.
Next, Glenn became the minister at St. Paul UMC in Muskogee from 1985 to 1995. Glenn had fond memories of his time in Muskogee, where they met wonderful friends. One of Glenn’s greatest accomplishments was his leadership during a tragedy, when the St. Paul church was destroyed during a fire on Christmas Day of 1991. He cared for the church community during this difficult time through his fellowship and by rebuilding from the ground up. He spearheaded the construction of a brand-new beautiful sanctuary, where his love and devotion to Muskogee and the church can still be seen today.
Glenn was then called back to OKC to serve as the Vice President of University-Church Relations for Oklahoma City University. He was extremely proud of his work at OCU, where he raised funds for scholarships. While at OCU, Glenn was directly involved in the development of Camp Cavett, a camp for children with chronic illnesses. There are now seven camps which are still operating today. Glenn then retired from OCU and the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2001.
In his 43 years of ministry, Dr. Millard led, baptized, married, and cared for people across this state he called home. He gave leadership to many boards and committees of the UMC Annual Conference, including President of the Camps Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Conference and Scholarship Chairperson for the Board of Ordained Ministry. Glenn was a powerful storyteller, who mixed humor, sincerity, wit, and meaning in his preaching. His caregiving touched countless lives and his thoughtful sermons influenced all who heard.
In retirement, Glenn served as Minister of Membership Care at St. Luke’s UMC in downtown OKC. He also enjoyed leisurely time with family, playing and watching golf, and attending Sooner football games. He continued to serve his community, as was his giving nature, by volunteering at Skyline Urban Ministries. He also served as trustee at The Wesley on the University of Oklahoma campus. His legacy is one of caring, giving, and loving all God’s children; especially his four grandchildren who he loved dearly. Throughout his 88 years, he truly practiced what he preached, by serving others and leading a life full of gratitude and love.
He has been reunited in heaven with his parents Guy and Faye Millard and his two sisters, Donna Sisson and Mary McGowan. He is survived by his dear wife of 61 years, Mary Millard. He is also survived by his two children and their spouses, Todd and Dawn Millard of Piedmont, OK and Traci and Ron Buckley of McAlester, OK; his four grandchildren, Jami Buckley, Cole Millard, Kaylee Buckley, and Ely Millard; his brother-in-law Frank Sisson; and many nieces and nephews.
The service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 5 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Skyline Urban Ministries (www.okcskyline.org) or The OU Wesley (www.okwesley.org).
