Michael Allen Mills

It is with great sadness we share that Michael Allen Mills passed away on January 26, 2023, at the age of 65 at his home in Milwaukie, Oregon.

Mike will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, his razor-sharp wit, and most importantly, as a dedicated and loving friend and father. He will be greatly missed.

Mike was born in Spokane, Wash., to parents Larry and Betty (Jahns) Mills. At the age of two, the family moved to Odessa, Wash., and then when Mike was in seventh grade the family settled in Heppner, Oregon. Mike was always close with his older sister Dianne. As children the two enjoyed poking fun at each other, and as they grew older, they continued to enjoy lovingly poking fun at each other. Later in life they would find that they shared a love of horticulture (which they called their “farmer gene”) and would have long talks about cultivating flowers where Mike would tease Dianne for not knowing the scientific names of plants, and Dianne would stubbornly refuse to learn them.

Mike thrived as a Heppner Mustang and was active in academics and athletics. He became Defensive Captain of the football team his senior year. His love of sport, and especially football would last his entire life. After high school Mike attended Oregon State University (OSU) where he had the rare privilege of developing lifelong friendships with Larry Breshears, Rick Hayes, and Ron Monnier. In their younger years, the three men enjoyed countless hours of frustratingly bad Beavers football, endless rounds of golf (which they all admit that Mike was superior at), and the “occasional” beer. For almost fifty years the four remained best of friends—there are not words that can express the value of a friendship such as theirs.

After graduating from OSU, Mike would go on to get his law degree from the University of Utah, and then he returned to Heppner, Oregon where he practiced law with Kuhn, Spicer, and Mills and started his family. Parenting, like being a fan of Beavers football, can be challenging, but there was no role that Mike played in his life that he excelled at more than being a father. His love for his two children, Chloe and Chandler Mills was fierce and unconditional. Whether they were visiting Silver Falls Park, or enjoying episodes of Dr. Who, Mike lived for spending time with Chloe and Chandler. Mike dedicated his life to his children, and he was always there to lift them up when needed. They in turn loved him greatly.

Mike is survived by his daughter Chloe Diane Mills and son Chandler Moses Mills, his doting mother Betty (Jahns) Mills; and sister; Dianne (Mills) Stickney.

Mike was proceeded in death by his father Larry Mills; maternal grandparents Harold and Gladys Jahns; and fraternal grandparents Harold and Mary Mills.

A graveside service will be held at the Rockford Cemetery on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center, 1100 N Sullivan Rd, Spokane Valley, Wash., 99037

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Heppner Mustang football team, c/o Heppner High School, PO Box 67, Heppner, OR 97836. (Heppner High School Football) in the memo.

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