Donald Everett Mills, 81

Donald Mills went to be with his wife in heaven on Oct. 17, 2021.

Don was born the first and only child of Cecil and Ruby (Thomas) Mills on Nov. 10, 1939, in Conrad, Montana. He attended school there and worked as a farm hand. He met the love of his life, Sandy Ray, in February 1960. He was the best friend of her brother. Don and Sandy were married on July 1,1960, and welcomed their only child, Cheryl, on June 21, 1961. They moved to Columbia Falls in 1964 where Don started working for Plum Creek lumber mill. He was injured in an accident there in the early 1980s, which permanently disabled him. Despite the crippling pain, Don still enjoyed "snowbirding" with Sandy from 1993 to 1998 in Yuma, Arizona. In 1999 they moved there until 2007, when they came back to be closer to their girls.

Don’s greatest joys were spending time with his family and his dogs. He enjoyed watching sports, watching his daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughters grow, and his cars. He loved nice, shiny new vehicles, much to his wife’s dismay!

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife.

He is survived by his daughter Cheryl Mills, his granddaughter Jessica Hendershott, and his great-granddaughters Kiya Warner and Aria Calderon, and his special furry companion, Baby.

At request of Don, no services will be held. Instead of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Don’s name to Meals on Wheels in Kalispell who provided many meals for him.