Eugene Edward Mills, Jr.

Eugene “Gene” Edward Mills, Jr, 67, passed away peacefully in his home in Fleming Island, FL on March 15, 2021.

Gene was born to Eugene Edward Mills, Sr. and Doris Hansen Mills on July 25^th, 1953 in Oceanside, Long Island, NY.

After graduating from Lakeland High School in Lakeland, FL in 1971, Gene joined the US Navy and rapidly rose to the rank of OSCM Master Chief Petty Officer. He served on the USS Vreeland (FF-1068) in support of Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Shield/Storm.  He married his soul mate and best friend, Cathy, on May 2, 1992 and retired from his honorable service to our great nation on September 30, 1992.  Gene enjoyed a second career as a Body Shop Manager in the auto collision industry with Jacksonville Collision Center and Sterling Autobody.

Growing up with his family, Gene attended the Lutheran church in Lakeland, FL.  He also attended services at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, and Faith Baptist Church in Mandarin, FL. He greeted his sisters every morning with Bible verses and quotes to stimulate questions of faith in himself as well as each other. 

Gene enjoyed good days on the golf course (any golf course), watching the sunrise at the family condo in Daytona Beach, attending to his lawn and garden and working on home improvement projects.

Gene’s family and friends will fondly remember large crowds gathering in his back yard to honor our country with celebrations on Memorial Day and Independence Day with good food, libations, and good stories.  For the past thirty years, the neighborhood has enjoyed the “over the top” Christmas decorations that he delighted in displaying every year inside and outside of his home.

Gene will be remembered as a good shipmate, professional sailor, and most of all a good husband to Cathy, a good father to Ann and Aura May and a good ‘PePaw’ to his grandkids.

Gene is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine Sadler Mills; parents, Eugene, Sr. and Doris Mills, and two brothers, Craig and Gary Mills. 

He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Ann Hall (Jason) and Aura May Lewis (Jeremy); grandchildren, Katelyn Hall, Stuart Hall, Liam Lewis and Colin Lewis; two sisters, Christine M King (Gray) and Darlene E Thornton (Joel); 15 nieces and nephews and 7 grand-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cancer Research Institute.  www.cancerresearch.org