Craig Leo McMillan, long time resident of Brownwood and Richland Springs Texas passed away in Abilene, Texas on December 5, 2025, succumbing to complications of a ischemic stroke followed by a later hemorrhagic stroke. Craig and his wife, Patricia (Trish) Shaw McMillan resided in Brownwood at the time of his death.

Craig was a real cowboy and a true friend to many. He showed his big heart through love and kindness for his friends and family. He had passionate feelings on many subjects and didn’t hesitate to express them. He relished in the accomplishments of his kids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews…always encouraging and praising them. He loved family gathering and remembered stories from the past in graphic detail, that often only he recalled.

Craig Leo was born on June 17, 1950, in Alpine, Texas. He was the son of late Bobby Neal McMillan and Bette Ruth Hill McMillan of Brownwood. He was a graduate of Brownwood High School class of 1968. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad from 1970 until retirement in 1992. He was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and competed on the pro-rodeo circuit for more than 15 years in bull riding, saddle bronc, and bare back bronc riding events at competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada. After retiring from active rodeo competition, he also served as a professional judge of rodeo events for many years. He was a rancher in Brown County for more than 50 years recognized for his expertise and knowledge of both sheep and cattle ranching.

Before moving to his current home in Brownwood in 2012, Craig and his family resided in San Saba County, where his twins, Marsha and Neil attended school. He served on the Richland Springs School Board for a number of years and was active in many events and activities at the school, in the Richland Springs community and San Saba County.

Craig’s interests besides his ranching business included watching he and Trish’s children and grandchildren compete in sporting events and school activities. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed a continued interest in watching rodeo events. He especially enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s football, baseball, and basketball games. He may have been the world’s biggest fan of the long running TV series Gunsmoke watching virtually every episode ever run on cable channels, while he wasn’t watching the Rodeo Channel or Fox News.

Craig is survived by his wife, Patricia Shaw McMillan of Brownwood, his brothers, Ron McMillan and wife, Sally of Houston, Texas and Mike McMillan and wife, Joanna, of Franklin Tennessee, and his sister Marsha McMillan Crook, and husband Gary Crook, of Midland, Texas.

He is also survived by his children, Buffy Rigney and husband, Darren, of Dripping Springs, Texas, Judson McMillan of Brownwood, Texas, Neil McMillan of Newark, Ohio, and Marsha Finlayson of Early, Texas. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Kent Simpson, Craig Simpson, and Kitty Simpson Morrison (Buffy’s children), as well as Leo and Abbye McMillan (Neil and Mona’s children), plus Gavin and Emerson Finlayson (Marsha and Kris’s children).

He cherished his relationship with numerous nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly, including Christina McMillan of Ft. Worth, Kate Irons Dorff of Dallas, Brandt McMillan of Brentwood, Tennessee, Ashley McMillan Kerr of Franklin Tennessee, John McMillan of Ft. Worth, and Jesse McMillan of Costa Mesa, California.

Craig’s extended family through his marriage to Trish included her daughter Stefanie Gentry, husband Wes Gentry, their children, Dalton, Cadence, and Ryland who reside in Coleman, Texas, plus Cody Smith, wife Ambrosia and their children Trayn and Dylan, of Pearland, Texas, and Austin Smith, and his children, Brennan and Sebastian of Brownwood. He enjoyed a close relationship with Trish’s children, grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Craig is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Neal McMillan and Bette Ruth Hill McMillan of Brownwood.

Visitation for Craig will be hosted by his family at Heartland Funeral Home in Early beginning at 12:00 PM followed by a funeral service celebrating Craig’s life at 2:00 PM on December 10, 2025.