James Edward Mills

Jim "Red" Mills, 77, of McAlester, passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, at his home in McAlester. Cremation arrangements have been completed. No services are planned at this time.

Jim "Red" Mills was born on Feb. 3, 1948 in Quinton, OK to Fred and Nellie (Huggins) Mills. He grew up mainly in McAlester, OK and graduated from McAlester High School before going on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oklahoma.

On July 2, 1977, Red married the love of his life, Jeanne Berry. He cherished his family, and friends who were like family, and would have given you the shirt off his back. He was generous beyond measure to those that he loved.

The friends from his youth remember him from his boxing days with his brother Freddie. But for the majority of his adult life, Red was devoted to his jobs in economic development. He started out working for the Chamber of Commerce in several towns like Shawnee, Broken Bow and Idabel, and even Kansas City for a bit. In the middle, he was a lobbyist for several organizations at the Oklahoma State Capitol. But in the end, he came full circle, back to McAlester as the Director of Economic Development. He was a proud member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), but his proudest accomplishments were the industries he helped bring to his own hometown.

To honor his life, he would want you to patronize local businesses, support economic growth of small towns by supporting the development of industries that bring in new jobs, and if you are the one to create the new jobs, that's even better.

Red is survived by his wife, Jeanne Mills; his children, Cody Mills, Alexa Gray and husband Billy, and Casey Housley and wife Jenny; grandchildren, Austin Housley and Allie Kate Housley; his brother, Freddie Mills and wife Darlene; and his niece DeeWayna Smith and husband Billy. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Wynemia Durant.