Allen Cantey Millar, 77, of Raleigh, peacefully died Monday, July 17 with family after a battle with Alzheimer’s with an abrupt decline in recent weeks.
Allen was born in Charleston, SC on April 2, 1940 to the late William Lawrence Millar, Jr. and Floride Richbourg Millar Dunlap. He was a graduate of the Class of 1958 at Needham Broughton High School where he met his future wife, Brenda Payne Millar. Having played football, basketball, and baseball in high school, he was the sports superlative of his class.
Allen was also a graduate of the Class of 1962 at Davidson College where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, played basketball under Lefty Driesell, and was a member of the baseball team. After completing college, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Army in Ansbach, Germany where he and Brenda began their married life.
Returning to the states in 1965, Allen was one of the first local hires of IBM as they were setting up a new site in NC. He attended Computer Training Program School in Poughkeepsie, NY before returning to Raleigh to begin his illustrious career that took him to LaGaude, France from 1977 to 1979. He became an executive of product development with IBM retiring in 1996 after 31 years of service.
Allen was an active member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board, the Staff Parish Committee, Communications Committee, and chaired the Child Development Center Board. He was also a counselor of the Methodist Youth Fellowship.
In his retirement years Allen enjoyed tutoring in the Wake County Schools and serving on the NC Opera Company Board. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes, and he volunteered as a ranger. Working in his yard and planning trips were also a joy to him.
Allen was preceded in death by his brother, William L. Millar, III and his step brother, William Dunlap. He is survived by his cherished wife of 54 years, his son, Gregory Millar (Lisa), his daughters, Leah Millar and Andrea Millar.
Three grandchildren survive him, Chase Millar, Kyla Millar, and Mila Lauck. Also, Tom Dunlap, his step brother, and sisters-in-law, Peggy Duke and Sue Millar, survive him along with a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Although many called him Allen, he was also known as Dad, Geega by his loving grandchildren, AC by his Davidson friends, and Al at IBM. A gentle giant, one may call him. He had a rare combination of intellect, humor, kindness, and gentleness yet he was an outstanding athlete.
He also was a huge fan of sports, especially NC State and the Carolina Hurricanes. His big heart and giving nature made him an easy person to know. A stack of books by his bedside was a common sight with them all being read at the same time.
For 15 years, visiting Park City, Utah was a favorite tradition of the family as they loved skiing and attending the Sundance Film Festival. Traveling to many places around the world was a love of his enhanced by the four years of living abroad. But Charleston was his happy place.
His abounding generosity and love for his family (and dogs) were equally reciprocated by their love and admiration for him. He is already dearly missed, and his family will never forget the constant love in his eyes.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2pm Saturday, July 22, 2017 in the sanctuary at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. Inturment and military honors will follow the service at the church columbarium.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Garden Gallery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center 228 Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27603. This was a caring place for Allen during the last two years of his life. The family would also like to thank the many friends who shared time and attention with him on many occasions as he walked this difficult journey in later years.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, St Mary’s Street. Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynne.com.
Published in The News & Observer from July 20 to July 21, 2017