JAMES MILLS

James Fredrick Mills passed away Sunday morning December 7. He was born April 6, 1925 to Fred and Mable (Smith) Mills, a Kennewick Centennial family (1904), memorialized as "the Lady of the River" statue on Clover Island. He grew up on the River Road which is now Columbia Park Trail near the Columbia Park Golf Course driving range. He was always on time to school since his dad drove the River Road school bus. He attended Kennewick High School where he loved to play basketball and graduated in May of 1943.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was sent to the Army Pilot Program at Gardner Field in Taft, California. As the war in Europe was winding down, he was reassigned to the Flight Line as a Crew Chief, then to Kingman, Arizona B-17 Gunnery School as an M.P. and then on to Douglas Arizona. In his off hours, he loved to play basketball. He was honorably discharged in November 1945.

He was recruited by Marv Harshman to attend Pacific Lutheran College and play basketball. He played three years for Harsh, the last year undefeated WINCO champions. They maintained a lifelong relationship.

It was at PLC where he met and later married Carolyn Severeid. Returning to Kennewick in 1949, he joined his brother-in-law Emerson Eby working on his father's Horse Heaven dry land wheat farm. Upon his father's retirement in 1951, he sold his share of the equipment and purchased a 120 acre irrigated farm and 640 acres of dry land. This was the beginning of the J-N-J Angus Ranch, named for the three children Jay-Nancy-Julie.

In 1978 Carolyn was killed in a car accident. In 1980 he met and married Margie Quandt who had four sons Kenneth, Chris, Kevin and Kelly. In 1986 they retired from farming, selling the irrigated farm to Pacific Lutheran University. They bought property in 1988 and built a house on Leslie Rd.

He was always involved in some form of public service including: Soil Conservation Board of Directors; Farm Home Administration Board of Directors; Benton County Boundary Review Board; Benton County Farmer of the Year; Runner up Cattleman of the Year; Benton County Volunteer Fireman for 25 years; Benton County Fire Commissioner for 16 years and Benton County Historical Society Board.

Over the years he loved to play and compete. In the late 60's the family started the Pacific 4x4 Travelers Jeep Club. Half the club were family members in the Seattle Area and half were in the Tri-City area. He spent many years Jeeping and racing all over the Northwest in a family group known as the Funny Farm Racing Team. He was also inducted to the Over the Hill Gang Racing Team. He loved to play Golf. He was a member of Meadow Spring Country Club. Together Jim and Margie hosted a number of golf Tournaments enjoyed by all. He loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish, especially deer hunting with his son, grandson, and great-grandson.

Jim's father Fred and others joined together to build Kennewick First Lutheran Church at Yelm and Highway 395. It became his life's passion, as an "A Team Member" to care for the building and insure the continuation of the Church. As death neared he spoke of his deep love of the Church, family and friends. He was a great Father, cherished friend, a fierce, fun competitor who will be remembered all who knew him. As he said near death, "I have been blessed and have had a good life."

He was preceded in death by father Fred, mother Mable, Sister Dorothy, first wife Carolyn and daughter Julie. He is survived by wife Margie, Son Jay, Daughter Nancy, Step-Sons, Ken, Chris, Kevin, and Kelly, grandsons Chad, Chris, Josh, and Cameron, granddaughter Fawn and many great-grandchildren, niece Molly, nephew's Mike, Rick, and Ralph.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice in Jims' name. Service will be Thursday November 11th at 11:00 am at Kennewick First Lutheran Church at Yelm and 395.