Eighty years young, that's my Dad

Dad you have given me so much throughout the years. You’ve given loving discipline; you’ve wiped away my tears. You said that I should follow – all of my dreams; and there would be not limit – to how I could succeed. I always felt you loved me – I was the apple of your eye. Thanks for some fun trips and mingling with the family. I will always love and appreciate your wit; your laughter, your thoughtfulness, your courage makes you fit. For all of your accomplishments – with family and gospel, your highest goal. Have a happy birthday -- it is certainly a milestone!

October 2 is always been extra special to me because my father shares his birthday with his beloved mother, Helen Mae James. I miss her like it was yesterday though she departed 37 years ago; my heart still aches. I loved her cooking, playing monsters with her and sleepovers. We knew we had unconditional love and we were all that counted in her life.

My great grandma Lola Mae Cannon James, left; and my grandma Helen Mae James Mills, right;

Jimmy Mills, my dad, pictured in both.

Jimmy Stanley Mills; his grandfather, Harmon Walter James; his grandmother, Lola Mae Cannon

Dad was born in Cornville, Somerset, Maine. He was raised on his grandparent's farm in Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine. He was the son of Helen Mae James and Philip Raymond Stanley. He was raised by his mother and when she remarried when Dad was a teen, he adopted the name of his stepfather, Lamond Lloyd Mills.