Carl Esposito, who served as publisher at The Journal during Mr. Mills’ tenure, called him “a kind-hearted man” who possessed “a great sense of the community.” When the newspaper handled controversial issues, Mr. Mills’ concern was how it would be accepted in the community, Esposito said.
“Under Jim’s watch, we made some tough decisions, but he was always aware of the impact our decisions had,” said Esposito, publisher of The Daily Times in Maryville, Tenn.
Michael Williams, editor of The Journal’s Ideas and Voices, said he’ll always remember Mr. Mills for his sense of humor, his love of his hometown, his often-touching columns and his devotion to the readers.
He said Mr. Mills “was serious about his profession but also was fun to work with.”
Ann Mort, a former librarian, and Mr. Mills founded a reading program for Middletown youth called “Let’s Read Together.” The goal, she said, was to put books in the hands of children at an early age to prepare them for kindergarten.
She called Mr. Mills “a good friend” and a mentor.
“I enjoyed him,” she said.
Mr. Mills and Arta Mills were married on June 11, 2004. She said her husband loved to travel and meet people. Mr. Mills, a big sports fan, attended Reds and Bengals game whenever the teams played in San Diego, she said.
“He was like a little kid,” she said. “He loved anything that we did.”
Mr. Mills was born on June 11, 1929. He formerly lived on Helton Drive, Armco Drive and Brentwood Street in Middletown and had been living in San Jacinto, Calif., since 2002. Before moving to California, the Middletown native had been a lifelong resident of Middletown and was a 1947 graduate of Middletown High School. He was a 1951 graduate of Ohio University, where he majored in journalism.
He joined The Journal as a reporter in 1955 after four years in the Air Force.
Mr. Mills covered the Franklin-Springboro area as a reporter until 1956 when he was named The Journal’s Sunday editor.
He became city editor in 1960 and in 1972 was named managing editor under executive editor Paul Day. When Day retired at the end of 1981, Mills assumed Day’s responsibilities as head of The Journal’s newsroom operations and maintained his managing editor title.
He wrote a weekly column called “Letter from the editor” in The Journal, covering everything from the “good old days” to discussing changes in major newspaper policies.
In 1995, Mr. Mills was awarded the Associated Press Society of Ohio’s Special Recognition Award for exceptional cooperative service to other AP member newspapers and broadcasters.
Mr. Mills retired as The Journal’s managing editor in December 1995. During his tenure, he worked with seven publishers, including E.S. Myers, N.J. “Bert” Lawler, Frank Myers, Jack Jordan, Robert Murphy, Janet Krause and Esposito.
He was also active in several civic organizations, including serving as a member of the United Way board of directors and the Salvation Army board. Some of his hobbies and interests included computers, gardening, travel and jazz.
Beside his wife, Mr. Mills is survived by four children: Michael and Mark Mills and twin daughters, Laura and Erin; brother, Les Mills, of Middletown; and two grandchildren: Mark and Alexandra Mills.
The visitation and burial will take place in California, though his wife hopes to have a memorial service in the Middletown area.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
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