George L. Mills

George Lawrence Mills, Catholic-Buddhist, anti-war veteran, and awarded educator, passed away peacefully at home in San Rafael, on November 18, after a 14-month battle with cholangeocarcinoma. George is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gayle Wittenmeier Mills, two children: Christopher Mills (Samantha Katherine) and Claire Marie Mills (Christopher Illingworth), two grandchildren: Georgia and Donovan Illingworth, and a covey of Michigan relatives.George enjoyed a 32-year career teaching English, Yearbook and Journalism in the San Rafael High School District. In 1978 he earned his MA in Education from USF by establishing a Title I Language Arts Learning Center at San Rafael High School. In 1983 he received the award for "Classroom Excellence" from the California Association of Teachers of English. In 1985 he became a fellow of the Bay Area Writing Project at UC, Berkeley. In 1997 he was selected as one of the "Outstanding Teachers" in Marin County. George was active in the San Rafael Federation of Teachers throughout his teaching career. After retiring in 2000, George and Gayle traveled the US and Europe, relished grandparenting, and immersed themselves in gardening. Born the fifth child of Bill and Ann Mills, George spent his first 19 years in Dearborn, Michigan, the home of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. He attended St. Alphonsus School for twelve years playing varsity football and being elected Senior Class President. He worked at the Dearborn Independent weekly newspaper where his father was publisher and co-owner. In 1957 George's father fought a bitter mayoral campaign against racism and corruption, losing to Orville L. Hubbard, which led to the sale of the newspaper and a move to San Francisco in 1959. In 1961 George graduated in Political Science from the University of San Francisco and completed Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He served three years aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga. On August 4, 1964, he was the Officer of the Deck during the alleged attack on a destroyer which led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and a ten year war. Upon release from active duty, in early November, 1964, George returned to the San Francisco Bay Area and entered St. Patrick Catholic Seminary in Menlo Park, earning a BA in Philosophy. After leaving the seminary, he earned a teaching credential at USF and in 1968 was employed to teach at the Continuation School in San Rafael. After marrying in 1969, George and Gayle settled in San Rafael where George coached his son Christopher's Youth Soccer and Little League baseball teams and served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Chris' Boy Scout troop. George enjoyed building things with Chris, like a couple additions to the house and a Buffy Porson roadster. In the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, George and neighbor Jack Allen took a hazardous drive to Cathedral Hill in the center of San Francisco, bringing daughter Claire and Amy Allen, her best friend, home from their San Francisco Girls' Chorus rehearsal. George enjoyed hiking the high country with Claire especially their ascent to Cloud's Rest. Over the years George engaged with Amigos Anonymous after volunteering in Tarimoro, Mexico for two summers (1967 and 1968), Renaissance Faire, the Mountain Source Sangha, English Country Dance and his neighborhood association where he served as co-chair with Gayle. George was proud of his roots in Henry Ford's Dearborn, MI, proud of what he accomplished in teaching, and proud of his wife and children, supporting them in whatever they chose to do. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday, 12/29/2022, rain or shine, beginning at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery, 1:30 pm. A group will walk from the cemetery to the top of the Sun Valley Slope meeting those who choose to drive. Dress warmly as we will gather outside to pay tribute to this remarkable man, with story, song, poetry, and prayer. All are welcome. Those who foresee the need are encouraged to bring chairs.