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Brig. Gen. Jack McMills, 1931-2009
Brig. Gen. Jack Ross McMills (Ret.) went home to be with the Lord March 5, 2009, in San Francisco, at the age of 77, with his devoted wife and family by his side.
Jack was born in San Mateo on May 16, 1931, to Dr. and Mrs. James O. McMills of Millbrae.
He grew up in Millbrae and graduated from Burlingame High School where he was recently (2004) inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to San Mateo Junior College where he won the Northern California J.C. Golf Championship in both 1950 and 1951. In the late 1970s and 1980s he won 11 golf championships. He holds two golf course records.
Jack attended the University of California, San Francisco, and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Benning, GA, majoring in logistics. He was a liaison officer for the US Military Academy at West Point for the West Coast.
He served in the US Army for 33 years and stood strong through the Korean War, receiving three purple hearts.
Adding to his extensive education and military background, he was on the sheriff's department in five counties: Trinity, Glenn, Colusa, Lake and San Mateo.
In Lake County, Jack was a Sheriff's Boat Patrol deputy from 1987 to 2000. He and wife, Gratia, lived in the Buckingham area of Kelseyville for many years.
He was a member of the Rotary Club in Weaverville and Orland, and a member of the Masonic Lodge for 54 years.
Jack was currently the president of the Willow Creek Mutual Water Co. and active member of the CWA. Jack's life occupation was service to his country and community. His favorite place to be was at the ranch, duck hunting; he loved to golf and was dedicated to his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gratia, of Willows; sister, Andrea Peck; niece, Sharon; nephews, Scott of Manton and Norm Taylor of Lakeport; daughters, Jackie Armstrong and husband Timothy of Modesto, Tina Spessard and husband Steve of Tehama; nine grandchildren – Jimmy and his wife Nikki, Daniel, Lucas, Amber, Alisha, Bridget and husband Adam, Melissa, Jamie, Cody; and five great-grandchildren – Shawn, Brynn, Lexi, Mikalah and one on the way. Two special family members Mark and Leslie Shannon and their daughters Leah and Sarah also survive him.
Services will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at the Civic Memorial Building/Veterans Hall in Willows at 1 p.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a charity of your choice.
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