James "Jim" Mills

James D. “Jim” Mills, 90, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at his home in Whitefish.

Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Anita; his brother, Mike (Kathleen); daughters, Rayne (Randy) Beach, and Jeanne (Chuck) Baker; and sons, Russ (Michelle), Larry (Claudette), and Greg (Jennifer); 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Jim was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a friend to all who had the good fortune to meet him.

Jim retired from the Navy after 22 years of service and remained active in the Fleet Reserve Association. After retiring from the Navy, they moved to Phoenix where they spent the next 27 years until making their final home in Whitefish.

Following the Navy, Jim was a marketing manager at a computer memory firm, then owned several businesses prior to retiring.

He enjoyed reading, playing volleyball, playing games with family and friends and fixing anything that family or friends needed. Jim loved to tease, flirt, and his wit and charm will be greatly missed.

His family wishes to especially thank the cardiopulmonary rehab department at North Valley Hospital for the tender, loving care they gave him in the last year of his wonderful life.

A memorial service/Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. An open house reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Beach family home, 4985 Whitefish Stage Road, Whitefish. Jim’s ashes will be interred at

Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.