H. Eugene "Gene" Mills

Herman Eugene “Gene” Mills, age 75 of Kingsport, passed away on December 9, 2015. He was born on June 25, 1940 to the late Herman H. Mills and the late Irene Roller Mills in Kingsport, TN. After an extended battle with cancer, he enjoyed his last 18 months, living his life to the fullest.

Gene grew up in Kingsport and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High school with the Class of 1958. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Gene began his professional career with Du Pont. After gaining some industrial experience, he returned to the University of Tennessee as a graduate assistant to begin studies for a Master of Science degree. He was employed by the University of Tennessee teaching engineering courses and served on the staff to develop a Supervisory Technical Development Manual for Tennessee Industries. In September 1967, Gene returned to Kingsport to begin a career with Tennessee Eastman Company. After various job assignments, Gene retired (1997) as a manager of warehousing and shipping. Gene was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed his work outings with the Outdoorsmen’s Club and his hunting and fishing trips were most enjoyable when he was accompanied by his son, Todd. Gene also enjoyed being involved in community activities. He served on the Sullivan Commission for 10 years; he was a board member of Bays Mountain Park; he served on the executive board of Holston Valley Hospital; He represented Sullivan County on the Tri Cities Airport Commission; he was a devoted member of the Outdoorsmen club and served on various positions including past president and Chairman of the Fundraiser Committee; and he was a member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Harold Wayne Mills. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sarah Wise Mills; one son, Todd H. Mills and wife Rebecca Scott Mills; and two lovely granddaughters, Lily Elizabeth Mills (age 4) and Madelyn Grace Mills (age 2).

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 13, 2015 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow immediately after the visitation in the Garden of Apostles of East Lawn Memorial Park with Pastor Tom Phillips officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be close friends of the family and serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Outdoorsmen Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Outdoorsmen Inc., P.O. Box 3303, Kingsport, TN 37664 or Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, 213 Colonial Heights Rd., Kingsport, TN 37663. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family.