Rufus A. Mills, 87, of Sugar Land, formerly of Beaumont, Texas, passed away at 8:00 P.M. on March 22, 2009 after a brief illness. He was born in Woodville, Texas on February 20, 1922 to James Henry Wesley Mills and Dora Mae Hatton Mills. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated from Lamar University with a degree in electrical engineering. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II where he received numerous honors including the Army Good Conduct Medal and twice awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the line of duty. In 1951, he founded Mills Electric Company, an electrical contracting company and later, Mills and Company, which sold and serviced commercial food services equipment. He was active in numerous civic activities including the Rotary Club of Beaumont, where he served with 41 years perfect attendance and received the Paul Harris Fellow Medal, for his service and commitment to the Club. Rufus was active in the Boys Scouts of America, Three Rivers Council, as both a Scout Master and a volunteer donating significant time to the building and renovation of Camp Urland near Woodville. He donated his time to many causes and organizations including YMBL, Neches River Festival, West End Little League and Camp Enterprise. He also achieved the designation of 32nd degree Free Mason and served as a Shriner. Rufus was a Charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served as an usher and greeter captain for many years.
Although Rufus worked into his early eighties, he enjoyed numerous hobbies during his later years. He was a passionate gardener, raising several varieties of roses. In addition, he was an avid Gin player. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family at Crystal Beach or camping on Lake Rayburn.
He was a beloved Father and will be dearly missed by his five children: Alan (Butch) Mills and his wife Judy, James Mills and his wife Robbin, Stacie Mills, Charles Mills, Jason Mills and his wife Shannon; and his 10 grandchildren, Megan, Caitlin, Austin, Robert, John, Catherine, Wesley, Emma, Grayson and Jackson.
His funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 27th at Trinity United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment with military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either Trinity United Methodist Church at 3430 Harrison Ave, Beaumont, TX 77706 or the Rotary Foundation at 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693.
