James Henry Millis

James Henry Millis
'Jim'
HIGH POINT -- Mr. Millis passed away peacefully on Monday, August 16, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. Jim was born in High Point on July 30, 1923 to the late Ed and Helen Millis.
He is survived and will be missed by his wife Jesse Evans Millis; his son Jim Jr. and his wife Debbie; son Bill and his wife Ellen; daughters Emily Hiatt and Molly Hedgecock; eleven grandchildren, Debbie Hupe and her husband Randy, James 'Dak' Millis III and his wife Lisa, Jonathan Kappes and his wife Kelly; Casey, Maggie, Jenny and Jesse Millis; Ryan and Haley Hiatt; Ashley Hedgecock-Medley and her husband Jeff and Justin Hedgecock; four great grandchildren, Emma and Charlie Hupe, and Ren and Fulton Millis; and Jim's sister Helen Millis Covington and her three children Ned, David and Pam.
Jim graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN where he met his wife Jesse. He attended both Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During World War II he was a P-47 fighter pilot in the US Air Force.
Like his Dad, Jim's career was spent in High Point in the hosiery business at Adams-Millis Corporation where he worked for 40 years retiring as CEO and Chairman of the Board. Under Jim's leadership Adams-Millis grew to be the largest diversified hosiery company in the world. He considered everyone working for and associated with the company to be his 'extended family.'
He was a lifetime member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities over the years.
Besides his love for family, church and business, Jim had a lifetime passion for High Point where he embraced countless civic projects such as High Point University, High Point Regional Health Systems, the YMCA and The High Point Community Foundation to name but a few. From these passions he never retired.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday night August 18th in the Asbury Room at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Wesley Memorial on Thursday, August 19th at 2:00 PM with Dr. Charles (Chuck) Wilson II, Bishop Thomas B. Stockton and Paul J. Lessard officiating.
Pallbearers are Bob Amos, Jr., George Peters, Cal Anderson, Ike Belk, Bob Shaw, Purcell Kimsey, John Mann Freeze, Randy Smith and David Dowdy. Honorary Pallbearers are Jake Martinson, Ray Cope, Jim Copeland, Chris Gionnapolis, John Peddycord, Tom Haggai, Nido Qubein, George Ragan, Hunter Dalton, Gary York, Plato Wilson, Charlie Green, Frank Tothill, Jim Morgan and 'Sandy'. Entombment for family members will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jim and his family suggest you make memorials to Hospice House of High Point C/O Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point NC 27262 or a charity on your choice.
Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.