John C. Mills Jr.

John Clifton Mills, Jr. (fondly known as J.C. and Jake to his family and friends) died June 1, 2009. He was 89 years old and had been in failing health. He was born March 3, 1920 in Colbert, Oklahoma. After being honorably discharged from military service J.C. worked in construction in Oklahoma and was proud to have helped build the Denison Dam at Lake Texhoma on the Texas-Oklahoma border. In 1953 he moved his family to Las Cruces where he began working at White Sands Missile Range as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic for 30 years. During his employment at WSMR he won many awards for his suggestions and for outstanding work performance. John was a man of simple pleasures. He loved his family and his home. One of his greatest pleasures was making his yard the showplace of the neighborhood and woodworking. He always had time to help his neighbors. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Robbie E. Mills; daughter Kathy Billing and son Kenneth Mills (Donna) all of Las Cruces; grandchildren Teresa Anderson and Jeffery Anderson of Muscatine, Iowa, Sherry Sanderson of Ft. Collins, CO and Curtis Mills of Las Cruces; great grandchildren, Samantha and Jared Mills of Las Cruces and Josh Anderson of Muscatine, Iowa; sister Peggy Gibson of Las Cruces and son in law, Don Anderson also survive him along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to immediate family he is also survived by his second family