James Harvey Mills, 94, was born March 10, 1915, at the family home in Wenatchee, to Harvey and Maude Mills and died February 12, 2010. At his birth, he joined an older sister, Marguerite, and was followed by a third child, Mary, who died at age eight. Jim attended schools in Wenatchee and graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1933. With several friends from Wenatchee, Jim joined the Zeta Psi Fraternity and the ROTC at the University of Washington. He graduated from the UW with a Business degree in 1938. In 1939, before the beginning of World War II, he toured Europe and witnessed the rise of Nazi influence. After returning to Wenatchee, he worked at Mills Bros., Inc., a men's clothing store established by his father and uncle in 1906. In 1942, he began active duty as an Officer in the United States Navy. He served as a Communications Officer on the light cruiser, the USS Phoenix in the Pacific and, for a time, was assigned to General MacArthur's staff to decipher coded messages. He was discharged in 1946, as a First Lieutenant. After returning to Wenatchee, he again worked at Mills Bros. and taught Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church. It was at church, that he met the love of his life, Maxine Base of Seattle, when she was in Wenatchee visiting family. They were married in Seattle on June 26, 1948, and remained married for 60 years, until Maxine's death in 2008. They faithfully raised three children in Wenatchee. Jim continued to work in the store with his father, uncle and cousins, Samuel D. and Sam Mills, until he retired in 1982, after dedicating himself to outstanding service and valued relationships with his customers. He was active in his community as a member of Wenatchee Rotary, Wenatchee Downtown Business Association, Chamber of Commerce and Apple Blossom Festival. Jim was an active participant of First Presbyterian Church, having served as an Elder and was a member for 84 years. During his last 18 months, Jim was a resident in the Columbia Heights and Bonaventure communities. His greatest joys were serving his Lord, spending time with his family and friends, engaging in conversations, boating on Lake Chelan and in the San Juan Islands, dining out, reading biographies, golf, dogs, and cheering for his favorite college and high school sports teams. His warm smile, encouraging ways, sense of humor, love of life and many other precious memories, will forever be cherished.

Survivors include his children, Dr. James E. (Nancy) Mills of Wenatchee, Jodi (Dr. Stephen) Brown of Shoreline, WA and Dr. Stephen (Richelle) Mills of Spokane. Grandchildren are: Christopher Brown, Katie Brown, Lisa Mills and Brian Mills, all of Seattle, WA, Andrew (Laurel Mills of Spokane, Peter Mills of Coeur d'Alene, ID and Kevin (Eryn) Mills of Stanford, CA.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young Life of Wenatchee or Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.