Donald Pat Mills

1935 - 2024

DONALD "PAT" MILLS

April 24, 1935 - June 17, 2024

Donald Pat Mills, 89, of Bakersfield, California passed away June 17, 2024, in Bakersfield. Pat was born in Stigler, Oklahoma, to the late Ida Belle and William Tony Mills on April 24, 1935, the seventh son of eleven children. At the age of 16, he accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at the Wasco Baptist Church, located on Seventh Street.

Pat began his education at Wasco Elementary, TJ Junior High, and graduated June 1, 1953, from Wasco Union High School. Following high school, Pat graduated from Bakersfield Junior College on June 1, 1955. He continued his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating on June 1, 1957. In high school and college Pat played multiple sports football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the Bakersfield College Renegade football team that played in the Pasadena Rose Bowl in 1953.

After graduation from UCSB, Pat served on active duty from February to August 1958 in the US Army at Fort Ord. He fulfilled his military obligation in the California National Guard and US Army Reserves.

In Nevada, he met and married the love of his life, Joanne Denny, on February 21, 1964. On September 14, 1965, Pat and Joanne welcomed their son, Michael, followed by their second son, Tony, on February 20, 1969. Two wonderful granddaughters, Madison and Macey blessed his life. His first great granddaughter, Hudson Sophia was born August 8, 2023. Pats first teaching position was in his hometown of Wasco at Wasco Union High School teaching multiple subjects and coaching at Porterville Junior College. After a successful tenure at Porterville, he completed his graduate studies earning a Master's Degree in school administration at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he coached football and baseball. For the second time, Pat returned to Wasco Union High School to teach and coach again. This was followed by an administrative position as Vice Principal at Fortuna Union High School in Fortuna, California. He also taught evening classes at the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. In 1972, Pat and his family moved to Taft, California, where he accepted an administrative position as principal of Taft Union High School for the next 25 years. His final year he also served as the superintendent. He retired June 30, 1995.

Pat was a member of the Taft Rotary Club. Pat was later inducted into the Porterville College Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010 Pat was selected as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the Wasco Union Elementary School District. He was inducted into the Wasco High Athletic Hall of Fame on March 25, 2010. He was also inducted as an athlete and coach in the Bob Elias Kern County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and served on their Board of Directors for seventeen years.

After retirement, Pat and Joanne moved to Bakersfield where he supervised student teachers for California State University in Bakersfield. Later he took a position with Fresno Pacific University leading professional development workshops for professional educators in California and Northern Nevada for 15 years.

Pat was the beloved husband of Joanne for over 60 years. Pat will forever be remembered by his son, Michael and his son-in-law, Justin, Tony and his wife, Michelle, his treasured granddaughters, Madison and Macey, and great-granddaughter Hudson Sophia, along with countless friends and family who were blessed to know him. Pat had a loving and generous heart, always giving to others.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Ida Belle Mills and William Tony Mills; brothers and sisters, EC Bus Mills, Freda Havens, Roy L. Mills, Hubert Mills, Rena Wilson, Tony Gene Mills, Norma Crawford, JW Mills, and Rita Portwood.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 24, 2024, from 5-8pm at Peters Funeral Home in Wasco, California. Graveside services to follow on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 10am at Wasco Memorial Park.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, all donations be sent to the National League of POW/MIA Families, 5673 Columbia Pike, Suite 100, Falls Church, Virginia 22041, in honor of his nephew, James B. Mills, who served and died in Vietnam.

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