Malcom "Mac" Millet
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Crowley for Col. Malcolm “Mac” Millet, 86, who went into the hands of God on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, surrounded by his family.
Father Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Lafayette, will celebrate the Mass, and the committal services will follow at St. Leo’s Cemetery in Roberts Cove.
Eulogist, following the rosary, will be Chad Millet, gift bearers will be Opa’s grandchildren, and lectors will be Jared Dolan and Greta Lege’.
Pallbearers will be grandson’s Jared Dolan, Garrett Dolan, Eric Boudreaux, Christian Hayes and sons-in-law Neal Lege’ and David Elter.
Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Mitchell Lege’ and Ben Robichaux and sons in law Brett Dolan and Jeremy Robichaux, the Louisiana State Police and Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Department.
Mac was born on July 8, 1928, and was a native and lifelong resident of Crowley. Mac’s law enforcement career spanned 50 years and five governors.
He joined the Louisiana State Police in 1953 and worked his way through every rank from Trooper to his appointment as Superintendent of Louisiana State Police and Secretary of The Louisiana Department of Public Safety. He received training in law enforcement at LSU, as well as completing courses in law enforcement and police administration at the FBI Academy as well as the U.S. Secret Service Agency. He also attended the U.S. Army Military Police School.
In 1980 he retired from state government, but remained active in law enforcement with memberships in such organizations as International Association of Chiefs of Police, Louisiana State Troopers Association, and the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Peace Officers Association. He was also a past member of the Louisiana Tourist Commission, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, LSU Law Enforcement Committee on Training and Degree Programs, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Region II Police Service Traffic Committee, Ex-Officio Member of the Liquified Petroleum Gas Commission, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and Council on Peace Officers Standings and Training.
To quote the words of fellow State Troopers, “Col. Millet was the epitome of ‘a Trooper’s Trooper’”.
He had deep compassion and was inspirational and revered by so many – not because he was the boss, but because he was “Mac Millet”.
After retirement from the Louisiana State Police he served as Chief Deputy for the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office from 1983-2003. Mac has received a number of letters of commendation during his career, ranging from the U.S. Justice Department to the Government of Turkey, as well as awards throughout his 50 year career.
He received the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution as well as the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
He served in both the active and reserve components of the United States Army, the Louisiana National Guard and the Army Reserve. He received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant.
He was also a member of the board of directors of the Crowley Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus Council 1318. He was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and served on the St. Michael’s Church Parish Council in different capacities throughout the years.
He was a huge supporter of Crowley High School Athletics and served as a member and past president of the CHS Athletic Boosters Club.
Mac had many great accomplishments but he would be quick to tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his family!
Although he battled Parkinson’s Disease for many years, he never let his illness take away his joy for living. Mac’s attitude was always positive and he had a kind and gentle spirit.
Mac is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Josie Heinen Millet; two sons, Dr. Chad Millet and wife Sandy of Metairie, and Mark Millet and wife Nannette of Morgan City; four daughters, Lisa M. Lege’ and husband Neal of Iota, Cathy M. Dolan and husband Brett of Baytown, Texas, Sheri M. Elter and husband David of Lafayette, and Adele M. Robichaux and husband Jeremy of Rayne; 15 grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsay and Hayley Millet; Eric Boudreaux and Mollie Millet; Greta, Anna, Kate and Mitchell Lege’; Jared (Ashley) and Garrett Dolan; Christian, Sophie, Ben and Emma Robichaux; and four great grandchildren, Morgan, Maddie, Boyd and Kye.
He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Rose Millet, Neb Millet and Louise Heinen; two brothers-in-law, Lyle Degelos and Beno Leonards; and special cousins, Maude Ann Gilmore and Dickie Bier.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Winnie Bier Millet; grandson, Mackie Millet; two brothers, Walter and Warren Millet; and one sister Ann M. Degelos.
Special thanks to Melissa Colangelo, for her care and compassion to our Papa. He thought of her as his own daughter. Thanks also to Dr. M. Katira and Professional Home Health for their great care.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. and continue on Monday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. until time of service. A Rosary will be recited on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F, Crowley, 70526 337-783-3313.