Dean Robert Mills

Dean Robert Mills Dean Robert Mills passed away on 16 January 2011 in Olympia Washington after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in Everett Washington on 4 December 1943. He completed Everett High School there, then went on to earn a BA in Secondary Education-History at Western Washington State College in 1966. Dean married his fellow student Barbara Bryan upon graduation and headed off to Korea with the Peace Corps. He then joined the U.S. Army and had the honor of serving with the Signal Corps handling White House communications during both the Johnson and the Nixon administrations. Upon discharge he began a civilian career in communications which continued until retirement from Qwest thirty years later. Dean balanced his family and career with an enthusiasm for back country adventure which lasted him a lifetime. Son Vern was born in 1971. His beloved wife Barbara died unexpectedly in 1976. A few years later he married Caroline Theroux and welcomed Bill (1974) and Jennifer (1977) into the household as well. The family was active in the Timberline Baptist Church. Dean shared his love of the natural environment with all the family; spirited camping, skiing and fishing trips were a norm. Waldron Island in the San Juans became a second home which he loved for its wild beauty, and for the fellow residents committed, as he was, to experimenting with ecologically friendly technology. Dean's passion for the outdoors led to a variety of rewarding relationships with groups in our community. Beginning in high school, he climbed mountains and shared his skills with others through affiliation with the Mountaineers. He later moved on to fishing, and was very active in local fishing organizations. In fishing as with mountaineering, he was happiest engaged in sharing his enthusiasm and skills with others. He enjoyed putting together fishing trips so many people could participate. He contributed many hours to the annual Kid Fishing Event where children learn all about fishing, the Noel Cole Pond / Newaukum River Barrier Free Fishing Week in Lewis County, and the Trout Unlimited fishing pond for children at the Lacey Spring Fair. South Sound FlyFishers and Trout Unlimited were prominent among the fishing organizations in which he was involved. Dean leaves behind his twin brother Dennis, his wife Caroline, children Vern, Bill, and Jennifer, and seven grandchildren. Donations in his memory, for children's programming, can be made to Trout Unlimited. Send checks to Trout Unlimited Olympia Chapter, ATTN: Treasurer, PO Box 7708, Olympia WA 98507. A service in celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 PM Saturday 22 January, at The Church at Lakewood, 7912 Lakewood Drive West, Lakewood WA 98499, www.thechurchatlakewood.com. Please be sure to leave your remembrances on the guestbook below.