WILMINGTON — Jack Howard Mills, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 8, 2024. Born July 16, 1931 in Reading, PA, he led a very active and fulfilling life in service to others for 93 years.
Jack grew up with his brother Dick in Reading, PA living at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel where his father was the Hotel Manager. In high school, he was a member of the varsity tennis team and basketball team, a varsity cheerleader, a member of the A Capella choir, baritone of the male quartet, assistant sports editor of the high school newspaper, and district chorus member.
Jack was a born salesman and embarked on a career of sales and marketing directly out of high school in 1949. He started off his career at a local hosiery firm as a sales trainee while at the same time enrolled in the extension night school at University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. He then enrolled in OSC completing basic leadership and was assigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX.
Jack married the love of his life and “sweetie” Caroline Heister on April 30, 1955. That same year, he was offered a sales territory for the hosiery firm. Jack and Carol lived in New Jersey for five years while he commuted to NYC. In 1965, Jack was offered a Sales Manager position with Tuttle Press in Appleton, WI where he was later promoted to VP of Sales and Marketing. His time in Appleton was full of family (three kids and a dog named Pepper), friends and fun. His family had a special Labor Day tradition where they filled their backyard with 45 different kinds of cheese for neighbors and cheese- how Wisconsin is that?!
After 12 years in Appleton, he founded Rawe-Mills & Assoc., Inc., a successful business located in the World Trade Center in Dallas. Manufacturing greeting cards, paper goods and wrapping paper, Jack and his partner sold their supplies to Michaels and Walmart, and he was well acquainted with the founders of both of these companies.
After he retired in 1990, Jack and Carol discovered Wilmington, NC and fell in love with the Port City. It didn’t take long for Jack to become active in his community, choosing a new career in volunteerism. He has contributed his time, energy, and love to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the UNCW Adult Scholars Program (earning Volunteer of the Year in 2008), delivering for Meals on Wheels for 20 years, helping students earn their GED at the Cape Fear Literacy Council, and singing with the Faithful Men’s ensemble. Jack simply wanted to bring joy to peoples’ lives.
In 1993 he began volunteering with the Cape Fear Museum, which became a second family to him. Jack donated time and money to the museum, offering his insights, his support and his care and concern for the museum staff, visitors and institution. Jack volunteered hundreds of hours leading education programs and attending events. He was an education docent since the first dinosaur exhibit arrived in 1993, and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2010. He taught the 5th grade People of the Past field trip for NHC schools for many years, and in 2020 the museum amended its by-laws to appoint Jack board member Emeritus of Cape Fear Museum Associates. When Jack came into the museum, he greeted everyone with an encouraging word and a hug!
An avid boater, Jack purchased his first vessel while living in Wisconsin, spending weekends with friends who would tie their boats together so they could boat hop from one to another. After moving to North Carolina, he and Carol purchased a new boat (before even buying their house!) and were members of Seapath Marina & Yacht Club where Jack served as Board of Commanders. They enjoyed navigating the Intracoastal Waterway together, with friends, family and their dog Nacho. Jack also chartered a boat in the Virgin Islands on three different occasions for his family, earning him the endearing title “Captain Jack”.
Jack and Carol were inaugural residents of Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall where Jack held a weekly church service at Bradley Creek Health Center for the residents there. He also taught Sunday School for 22 years at College Acres Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon. He was most recently a member of the congregation at Wrightsville United Methodist Church and a student in The Agape Sunday School Class.
Jack had many hobbies including reading, golfing (walking, never riding), building model airplanes and boats, attending UNCW basketball games, watching his beloved Green Bay Packers, and enjoying time with his family. After retiring, Jack and Carol became world travelers taking at least one trip a year over a 25 year period. The most informative and lasting trips however, were their 3 trips to the Holy Land.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Carol Hiester Mills and his son, Jack Howard Mills Jr. He is survived by his two daughters, Caryn Mills La Vere and Barb Mills Courtney, both of Wilmington NC, his daughter in law Theresa Mills of Boston, his son in law David La Vere, six grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and his brother Richard Mills of Florida.
Jack Mills was one of those people who simply made life better for those around him- whether it was with a hug, a laugh, a prayer, or a token of wisdom from his 93 years of endlessly pursuing the good in life, we are all better for having the incredible opportunity of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science.
There will be a celebration of life at Andrews Mortuary at 1617 Market Street on Friday, September 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Helping others — that’s the big thing that has always been part of my life” — Jack
