John Mills Obituary

Name: Memorial service for John Mills
Start: 2014-05-24T22:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Francis in the Foothills Church

John Mills Beloved husband, father, and University of Arizona English professor John Mills died at 82 on May 8, 2014. After completing his PhD at the University of Indiana, Dr. Mills joined the faculty at the U of A in 1961, where he taught for 37 years, with an interval of eight years at State University of NY, Binghamton. John specialized in Shakespeare and Dramatic Literature. He authored many scholarly publications including a now essential theatre history book, Hamlet on Stage. After retiring from the U of A in 1998, John starred in numerous plays including On Golden Pond and Trying. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Joy, lively dinners with family and friends, carpentry, listening to opera and charitable volunteering. John Mills is survived by his wife, Joy; son, Kevin; daughter, Jennifer; grandson, Tyler; brother, Jerry and sister, Connie. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis in the Foothills Church, 4625 E. River Rd., 85718. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to remember John with gifts to Habitat for Humanity, Sun Sounds, or Live Theater Workshop. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star from May 17 to May 18, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mills

8 Entries

loïs ann clouthier

July 26, 2024

It's July, 2024, and my old professor, Dr. John Mills, has been gone 10 years, unbeknownst to me. I've been living in Montreal for over 40 years. I have never forgotten Dr. Mills, he was my Shakespeare and modern theatre professor in 1975 or '76, and I've never forgotten so much of what I learned from him, and the passion he gave me for Shakespeare and for theatre.
I just came across a reference to Stoppard's "Rosenkrantz...", which brought me right back to Dr. Mills. John Osborne? Same thing, once again. I still have all the texts I used for his courses.
I so regret never having gone back to thank him for transmitting his passion to me. At least his family will know that somewhere in Montreal there is a former student who will always remember and and acknowledge him, who will always think of him when she thinks of Shakespeare, or Osborne, or Stoppard, and thank him even 10 years after his passing.
loïs c.

Nanct Eisner

May 19, 2014

Dear Joy: I am so sorry to hear of John's death. He was a dear, sweet man. He was also, deservedly, a well-respected scholar. Our thoughts go to you and your family. WIth Love, Nan Eisner

Mary Glenn

May 19, 2014

To Dr. Mills' Family,
I'm sure you will be receiving many notes like this one over the next few weeks, there are after all a whole lot of people who fell in love with Shakespeare because of John Mills.
I took his undergraduate class because I heard he was a "theatre person" as well as an English Professor, and that somehow made it less intimidating. From the first day it was wonderful to see this dignified, intelligent man get so excited by the words on the page. He also said the sentence, "Shakespeare is meant to be seen and heard- not just read", I have been stealing that line for 14 years now-it is the first thing I say to my students, I have even put it on a final exam, worth 10 points. I promise from now on I will credit the source: "According to Dr. John Mills, Shakespeare is meant to be _____ and _____, not just read".

I also wanted to let you know that many years ago when I directed my first Shakespeare, I came to his office at the U of A to ask advice about editing the text for a stage production of "Mid Summer...". I told him how incredibly inadequate I felt when it came to cutting the text. Who the heck was I to cut Shakespeare, Dr. Mills smiled and said,"If it was any other name on the script you'd cut it right? Then do it,-the play is the thing". He gave me the confidence to do the job I needed to do.

I feel so fortunate to have had known Dr. Mills, his influence and his words will still sound in my head for years to come.

May 17, 2014

for John: You were a great colleague and a truly kind man. Your mild, humorous, caring temperament is such a rarity in the halls of academe! I miss you, and wish your family comfort at this difficult time. Your colleague in the Dept. of English, Susan White

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May 17, 2014

Dear Joy: I am so grateful to have been recently welcomed into your home by you and John. Kevin speaks so fondly of your Sunday dinners and evening walks - certainly a wonderful tradition to continue in John's memory - and I will always treasure that night!

With loving thoughts to you and yours for strength and peace,

Bonnie Gradillas

May 17, 2014

Dearest Mill's Family, we are devastated by the loss of such a wonderful and dear friend. Please know our hearts are with you at this difficult time. We are sending much love and light. Love, The Gonzales Family

Rick and Tori Bacal

May 17, 2014

Tori and I mourn with you in the loss of our dear friend. We both remember John and Joy's welcome presence at our wedding, Rick recalls fondly John being one of only a few people at his very low-key bachelor party, which consisted of playing poker and smoking cigars, John, Tom Collins, and Sig Eisner, all happily married and ushering Rick into married life. Additionally, John Mills was by far my favorite U of A professor, and I took as many of his classes as were offered. We offer our sympathy and condolence for the loss of this dear man.

May 17, 2014

I am sorry for your loss. Our loving heavenly father is the God of all comfort. May he give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

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