Keith Millican was born February 8, 1935, in Montrose, Colorado, to Ira Millican and R. Gladys Babcock Millican. He passed away on April 9, 2026, at his home in Rio Dell, at the age of 91.

He came to Fortuna with his sister, Berta, and their cousin Delbert to visit family in 1953. Keith and his sister decided they wanted to stay. Keith started working at Pacific Lumber in 1953 and retired in 1999.

After retiring, he started his second career as a self-employed carpenter, building garages, repairing rooms, new flooring, and roofing. He made many friends with those he had worked for. He drove a green ’92 Chevy truck, which people recognized. They would follow him to ask him to take the job they needed done.

He talked fondly of working for Art Perra, Frank Mell and later for Frank’s son, Terry Mell. He traveled several times to Oklahoma to visit with his two sons, Wayne and Tim, and their families.

He is predeceased by his parents, Ira and Gladys Millican; his brother Roy Millican; his sister Mary Hall; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth Criswell, Lloyd Trodgen and Harold Hall; and his son’s mother, Maxine Lynch.

He is survived by his son Wayne (Patricia) Millican, Arapaho, Oklahoma, and Tim (Diane) Millican, Boise City, Oklahoma; sisters Berta Criswell, Fortuna, and Berenice Trodgen, Mullen, Idaho; and brother George (Ruth) Millican, Cañon City, Colorado. By his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thank you to his Home Health Team, Steven and Rachel; his Hospice team, Gary, Scott, and Travis; his Primary Care Provider, Margaret Lee; to Jan Oldridge-Vivies; and his grandson, Nathan Martin, for helping with round-the-clock care.

With their help and support, we were able to keep Keith in his own home until the end.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Rio Dell Firehall, 50 Center Street, Rio Dell, at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Keith Millican’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.