Nelson L. McMillan Jr.

Nelson was born in Glen Rogers, West Virginia on November 21, 1942 where he attended elementary school. He attended Conley High School in Mullens, West Virginia, majoring in a college preparatory curriculum, where he graduated in May of 1961. He attended Bluefield State College on an academic scholarship and graduated with a Major in Biological Science and a Minor in English. While at Bluefield State College he became a member and officer of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Nelson began his teaching career at Genoa Junior High School where he taught English and Reading Science for two years. While at Genoa some students increased their reading levels two to five grade levels. He was later hired at Montcalm High School as; Teacher of Biology, Physics, Physical Science, Chemistry and Head Coach of; Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Softball. While at Montcalm High School, he served as supervising teacher for “17 “Students Teachers” from Bluefield State College”. He established the sport of “Cross Country” in the southwestern part of the state (South and East of the Kanawha River). Montcalm High School was the first class “A” school to ever win a “Regional Championship” against all “AAA” High Schools. During his time at Montcalm High School, he became a member of Bluefield Lodge #3 Masonic Lodge where he attained the degree of 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. Also, while at Montcalm High School, he earned a Masters Degree in Biological Sciences from Marshall University; via receiving; “National Science Foundation Grants”, “Ford Foundations” and “Marshall University Exceptional Honor Student Award Grants.”

After receiving his Masters Degree, he was hired in Maryland at Hereford High School (one of the most prestigious High Schools in Maryland), which was only a couple of miles from his parent’s home in Parkton, MD. He taught Agricultural Science, applying biological concepts to agricultural animals and plants. He then received a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Maryland. Also, while at Hereford High School, he received the prestigious “Honorary Farmer’s Degree.”

While at Hereford high School, he was recruited by the Farm Credit Bank of Baltimore, because of his expertise in Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Math, Science and Physical Science. He started with the bank as a “credit analyst” progressing to Sr. Cr. Analyst, Review Manager, Sr. Review Manager, AVP Review Manager, Regional V.P., Vice President, and ultimately ending as a “Senior Vice President of Credit,” while at the Bank.

He completed courses at Maryland Community Colleges, WV University, Virginia Tech, Penn State and the University of Virginia resulting in an equivalence of a “Masters of Business Administration.” He retired after 15 years with the Bank and returned to his “first love, teaching” in 1997 by accepting a position in “Career and Technology Education” at Parkville High School, Parkville, MD. Although he has been asked to accept department chairmanship positions and Assistant Principal positions, he was most pleased with simply teaching and giving back to education some of advantages that education provided us.

He retired from his love of teaching in 2010 while at Parkville High School.

Nelson is survived by his wife of 50 years, Melba Banner McMillan of Baltimore County, Maryland. They have a daughter, Tamara McMillan-Brewer who lives in Bensalem, PA with husband, Eric Brewer.