John G. Mills

John Graham Mills, 81, of Carlsbad, N.M., died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, following an extended illness. Cremation has taken place per his request. A private family service will be held Friday morning, Feb. 3, at Carlsbad Cemetery. A come and go memorial Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Carlsbad Community Foundation, 114 S. Canyon. The gathering is an opportunity for John's friends to share and celebrate his life. John was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 17, 1930, to John Achilles and Beatrice Ruth McCabe Mills. He graduated from Newtrier High School in Illinois. He graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and continued some graduate work. He taught school for a few years in the south and later joined the Army. He was discharged in October 1955. He relocated to Albuquerque and accepted a director training position. He became assistant administrator for Presbyterian Hospital. In 1967, he accepted a hospital administrator job in Panama at a government hospital. After two years, he moved to Carlsbad, accepting a position as associate hospital administrator for Carlsbad Medical Center. He worked there until 1977, when he started the Carlsbad Foundation. He served as executive director of the foundation until his retirement in 1995. John married Mildred Milliron on June 17, 1985. They had worked together at St. Francis Hospital. When he started the foundation, he asked her to work with him. He served on numerous committees throughout the community such as Nursing Advisory Committee, Christmas on the Pecos and Carlsbad Beautification. He was a member of Carlsbad Rotary and received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 1992. John enjoyed committee work and community involvement on all levels. He loved traveling and was especially fond of gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: Dick Mills and Tom Mills. John is survived by his wife, Mildred; sons: Brett Mills of Carlsbad and Mark and Laurie Mills of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren: Lilly Mills, Abby Mills, Rachel Mills and Alex Mills; stepson, Dwayne and Nancy Milliron; and stepdaughter, Cathy and Mike Chance; and step-grandchildren: Herschell Milliron, David Milliron, Danny Milliron and Samantha Chance. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lakeview Christian Home of the Southwest, Carlsbad Community Foundation or charity of choice.