E. Lee Mills

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Grace Presbyterian Church at 518 Roselawn Boulevard for E. Lee Mills, 82, who passed away Saturday, March 22, 2008 after a brief illness. Reverend John Wamsley, Pastor of Grace of Presbyterian Church, will officiate the services. E. Lee Mills was born in Norman, Oklahoma on December 26, 1925 to Cecil Alexander and Mabel Ward Mills. Mr. Mills was a longtime resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, having come to Lafayette in 1953 during his start in the oil business as a geologist for CONOCO. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's Degree in Geology. After a brief transfer to New Orleans, Louisiana, he moved back permanently in 1955. After his initial work with CONOCO, he was employed as an exploration geologist with Texas Gas, located in the then-relatively new Oil Center. He became self-employed as an independent geologist in 1964, and he actively pursued and enjoyed that occupation until just a few years before his death. As a new geologist in Lafayette's growing oil business at the time, he dove right into learning the local culture and enjoying his new home. He became a member of the new Oakbourne Country Club, became a member of the Kiwanis Club and later was on the Board of Director of Petroleum Club in Lafayette. Mr. Mills was involved in numerous professional organizations. He was actively involved in the Lafayette Town House organization and a member of the Southwest Mardi Gras Association. He worked hard to develop the almost non-existent Republican Party in Lafayette Parish, enjoying the fruits of his labor when Mr. Rod Miller was elected as a State Representative in the 1964 election as the First Republican State Representative from the Lafayette area since near the Reconstruction Era in the late 1870's. He also ran as a candidate for the Lafayette Parish School board during that year. Lee was actively involved in both professional and sports activities at the University of Oklahoma all of his life. His love for his alma mater was enjoyed and supported by all his family. Mr. Mills is survived by his wife, Jamie Mills and his five children, daughter, Cynthia Burns and husband, Laurence C. Burns, Jr. of Houston, Texas; son, Michael W. Mills, Sr. and wife, Carol S. Mills and their children, Michael W. Jr., Andrew Sterling, and Morgan Price of Lafayette, Louisiana; daughter, Leslie Marguerite Haas of Rome, Italy; son, James Daniel Mills and wife, Wendy of Jamestown, North Carolina; and son, David C. Mills of Crestview, Florida. He is also survived by his sister, Willadean Harris of Los Cruces, New Mexico; and his brother, Roy D. Mills and his wife, Ruby of Midwest City, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his first wife, SueAnne Nash Mills, and one brother, James Alexander Mills. The family requests visiting hours be observed on Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and continue on Wednesday from 8:00 am until the time of service. Pallbearers will be Michael W. Mills, Sr., James Daniel Mills, David Carey Mills, Michael W. Mills, Jr., Andrew Sterling Mills, and Morgan Price Mills. Honorary pallbearers will be Laurence C. Burns, Jr., Gerard Charles, and Joe Woods. Our family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the care given to Mr. Mills by Mr. Gerard Charles during the year prior to his death. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the charity of your choice. Personal condolences may be sent to the Mills family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

E. Lee Mills

December 26, 1925 - March 22, 2008