Mark M. Millis

Mark M. Millis
January 18, 2021
Arroyo Grande, California - Eagle Pride remained in the heart and devotion of our father, long-time Arroyo Grande, California resident, Mark Matthew Millis, as he crossed the goal line for his final breath on Monday, January 18, 2021, at the age of 80.
Dad was born in North Adams, Massachusetts. His family moved a short distance to Williamstown when he was 15, where he graduated from Williamstown High School (WHS).
At WHS, his eleventh grade English teacher, Miss Campbill, inspired him to become a teacher. Dad loved humor and enjoyed writing, combining both to publish an underground student newspaper called Teenager Weekly. He developed an ear for music as a member of the high school chorus and played as a reserve on the football and basketball teams. Dad acquired what would become a lifelong passion for politics, serving as class president, while learning how to campaign and turn out the vote for candidates running for State Legislature and US Congress, including a young Senator named John F. Kennedy.
Dad graduated from WHS in spring 1959 and in the fall arrived in Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee (UT). He joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, creating fond memories and friendships he would carry with him for the rest of his life. As a freshman, sitting in the student section of a UT football game vs. the visiting #1 nationally ranked LSU Tigers, Dad was not impressed with the Tiger mascot's teasing, so he jumped from the stands onto the field, ripped the tiger's tail off and successfully returned to the stands, to the joy of the UT fans. The Vols would go on to upset No. 1 LSU, 14-13. Way to go Dad! Dad organized and headed Youth for Kennedy and later Youth for Kennedy-Johnson events at UT. He also served as President of the UT Young Democrats, achieving new heights for student turn out.
Dad graduated from UT in August 1963 and would teach for a year in Greenville, Tennessee, before pursuing another dream, to move to California, where he could grow fruit trees of every variety. He made it to California in the fall of 1964 and met a fellow teacher, named Deanna, our wonderful mother, at Cederlane Junior High School in Hacienda Heights. Dad and Mom would get married in the summer of 1965 and a year later begin a family. With their first son, they moved north settling in Arroyo Grande, on the burgeoning Central Coast.
Dad began what would become a 33-year career, teaching American Government at Arroyo Grande High School (AGHS). He represented his fellow teachers as their Association President for 10 of those years. His over 11,000 former students would surely say they gained a deeper understanding of the rights and duties of citizenship. He endeavored to inspire them to enter public service by starting Youth in Government Day, and many went on to work in civic roles or serve on school boards, city councils, and boards of supervisors. A common phrase, Dad would say on Friday's to his departing students was, "have a good weekend and go to church." Dad was a devoted Catholic and times were different then, even in public school.
Dad's love of politics and desire to serve his community expanded in the 1970's with him organizing Central Coast rally's for Democratic and Republican candidates for Statewide or US Congress and becoming a Republican Delegate for Ronald Reagan at the 1976 Republican National Convention. He began his career in Arroyo Grande city politics, winning a City Council seat in 1972. He would go on to serve his community as City Councilman, Mayor Pro Tem, or Mayor until the early-1990's. Arroyo Grande citizens can thank Dad and his coalition for many of the sports fields and parks in town, along with senior citizen housing, and sensible growth management, which disappointed the development community, but preserved the small town feel and protected the rich soil farmlands for nearly 19 years in Arroyo Grande under his watch.
After Dad retired from teaching at AGHS, he took some time away from school and local politics and enjoyed being a grandfather (Pepere), traveling to see friends, and trading interesting stocks (think Apple and Krispy Kreme). In 2010, he would enter his final phase of public service, running for Lucia Mar Unified School Board, winning with a majority of the vote.
Dad would continue to serve on the school board, and over the next several years became an advisor to smart, motivated and selfless citizens who wanted to enter local politics. He loved passing on any wisdom and encouragement he could and was humbled by the thanks he received from those he helped achieve their goals.
On June 7, 2019, in recognition of his service to city parks and recreation, surrounded by his family, friends, students and colleagues, Dad witnessed the Elm Street Community Center in Arroyo Grande publicly dedicated and renamed the Mark M. Millis Community Center. His heart was full.
Dad is survived by his sister, Judith and her husband Jack Giacomo, his former wife and steadfast friend, Deanna, their four children; John, Laura, Mark II, and Clayton, along with their respective spouses Celia, Darin, Valerie, and Julie, including 13 grandchildren, who all know what it means to love someone "As high as the sky" because of Pepere's legacy. Dad was preceded in death by his father Francis, his mother Laura, and his brother Francis.
We will be having a private family burial service at Arroyo Grande Cemetery.
We hope you will attend a Celebration of Life ceremony for Dad later this summer when COVID restrictions lift, details forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, please consider mailing a donation in memory of Mark M. Millis to the:
St Patrick's Outreach Ministry
501 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420