100-year-old man attributes longevity to healthy lifestyle

One Fort Collins resident has 100 reasons to celebrate.

Lynn "Mac" Wilkins McMillan hit the century mark Thursday.

"I don't drink. I've never smoked. I'm just glad to be in as good health as I am," McMillan said during an interview from his son's home in north Windsor. "I would be miserable if I were in the shape that others are in at this age."

McMillan was born June 11, 1909, in Paducah, Texas.

He now lives at Rigden Farm Senior Retirement, where he celebrated his birthday.

Friends and family will host an open house celebration June 28 to mark McMillan's birthday.

Karen McMillan of Windsor, Mac's daughter-in-law, has been gathering old photos and asking family and friends to express their feelings through a homemade video.

The video will be played during the open house.

Karen also has written letters to Willie Nelson, the White House, former President Bill Clinton, the Army and television personality Willard Scott announcing Mac's 100th birthday.

McMillan was surprised to receive a card from a gentleman in the Army and is still waiting to receive one from the White House.

Until then, he is pleased to share his life experiences during the past 100 years with the community.

McMillan was raised on a farm with five sisters and two brothers.

He attended the University of Texas where he studied math and psychology.

Upon graduation, Mc-Millan worked in accounting and bookkeeping until he was drafted into the Army in spring 1941.

"I liked it," he said. "You would never know what was going to happen. I think we were all pretty anxious to get out though."

McMillan had various assignments during World War II. He traveled to Virginia, New York, the Philippines and Japan.

"Our last assignment was in Japan," he said. "There was an invasion scheduled but then the war ended."

After 20 years of service, McMillan retired.

He also served in the National Guard for six years.

He married Elizabeth, his wife of 60 years, on Oct. 12, 1941. They had one son, Charles McMillan of Windsor.

McMillan has one grandson, one granddaughter and four great-grandsons.

After retiring in 1969, he spent time traveling. McMillan has visited Hawaii twice, Canada, California, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Disney World.

"I liked Hawaii better than any other place," he said. "It was something different."

The next trip McMillan has scheduled is for September.

"If I get approved to travel to see the (WWII) Veterans Memorial in Washington," he said, "I will."

When not traveling, McMillan focuses his time on activities at the senior retirement home.

"I've been taking Spanish lessons; I love to play Bingo and the Wii," he said. "I used to bowl a lot, so when I play the Wii I still have a tendency to curve the bowling ball."

McMillan also has his own cell phone and loves crossword puzzles.

"I'm a crossword addict," he said. "The first thing I do in the morning is the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. It's very educational and gives you a lot of words."

The retirement home has also appointed McMillan as the gardener.

"I've set out tomatoes for them and peppers," he said.

McMillian's mother lived to be 95 years old.

With plenty of activities to occupy his time, McMillan has remained a healthy 100-year-old.

"Right now, when I go to the doctor, they can't find anything wrong with me," he said. "You've got to take care of yourself healthwise."

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