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Howard and Marjorie McMillin |
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After World War II, my father, Howard McMillin Sr. and mother, Marjorie, lived in Oklahoma and Kansas. Both parents and I, Howard Jr. (1-5), were sick very winter. My father had bad respiratory problems. He was working at Skelly Oil Company in Eldorado, Kansas, when he saw an ad in some magazine for refinery engineers to move to Aruba. This was close to height of the refinery population and oil production. So my parents, in desperation, decided to move to Aruba for health reasons. My sister was born a few months before our move to Aruba in 1951. For my parents, who had lived in Washington State, for World War II duty, then back home to Oklahoma and Kansas, this was a big move. So we left Shelly Oil Company and many relatives to move to Aruba. I was in the first grade. Our move was by propeller airplane from Oklahoma City, Dallas, Miami, then all day flight to Aruba. My father had gone before to get settled in Aruba and start working for Lago Oil Company. My mother had me and one infant. It was not a fun trip the first time. Our first home in the Colony was on Colorado Point in one of the two bedroom apartments, as there were no available houses for several months. I started at the elementary school near the refinery, since removed. This was not the greatest start in our time in Aruba. But we all got and stayed healthy after a few months. And like many other old-timers, we have made friends that have lasted several generations and a lifetime. We are grateful for the time we were on the island. Both my sister and brother have been back with their families. The only regret is so little is left from our early years. HMM. |
| This family history was submitted by Howard McMillin Jr. using the Lago Colony Family History Submittal Form. |