Obituary of Clarence James Mills

Clarence James Mills was born in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba on June 21st 1923, the only son of Norman and Pearl Mills. Clarence was the second child in the Mills family with his sister Edna born two years previously, and later two more sisters, Irene and Bettie Jean. Clarence grew up in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba area and raised fox and mink for several years before joining the army in 1943 at the age of 19. He served overseas as a stretcher-bearer and was stationed in England, Italy, and in Holland near the end of the war. He received medals in recognition of his service, and particularly the military medal for distinguished gallantry under heavy fire in Italy. The Mills families, including Clarence, his parents, grandparents and uncles, moved to Kelowna about 1947 and settled in the Okanagan Mission area. Clarence worked on the ferry between Westbank and Kelowna for some time and in the fall he worked in the fruit-packing plant in Kelowna. In 1949, Inga Sandnes moved to Kelowna to spend holidays with a girlfriend, and after some time met Clarence through a mutual friend at Evangel Church. Inga returned to Dawson Creek and then Clarence and his father Norman drove to Dawson Creek. Clarence & Inga were engaged, and then married on Feb 11, 1953 in Kelowna with friends and family in attendance. Later that year on Nov 17th their son Marvin was born. Because of the lack of work in Kelowna in the winter, the family moved to Dawson Creek. Around 1954 Clarence started working at the Phillips 66 Truck stop on Alaska Avenue. Yvonne was born April 15th, 1957 in the Pouce Coupe Hospital. Clarence bought his first farm in the North Rolla Area. He then sold that farm and moved to a location farther north along the banks of the Kiskatinaw River where he built a small house and granaries. He continued farming there until about 2008. Clarence loved to collect "interesting" rocks in different areas in which he travelled and had many samples to bring home for decorating the yard. He enjoyed many a Saturday morning at garage sales. He also enjoyed photography, and often stopped along the road looking for the "perfect" picture. This would often leave the family waiting "patiently" while the clouds parted, to allow more sunshine on his photo subjects. He was also a regular attendant at the Pentecostal Church and was a leader of the Crusaders Boys Club during the late 60's and early 1970's. He also enjoyed attending church camp meetings. In 1978 Clarence, Inga and Yvonne took a trip to Norway, then Scotland, England, Wales and back to London, in a rented vehicle. Yvonne learned to drive a car on the left (wrong) side of the road, while touring with her parents around England. Clarence & Inga took many long trips with friends including one in 1986 to Alaska, in 1987 to the North end of Vancouver Island, in 1988 to Yellowstone Park and then on to Minnesota to visit cousins, in 1993 a trip across Canada, including the maritime provinces and Newfoundland: north to Englee, east to St. Johns and south through the Avalon Peninsula. Clarence gradually sold his farmland and finally the buildings and the last portion of land in 2011. Enough farming and gardening! Clarence enjoyed attending the local fall fair for some years. He enjoyed walking uptown and back home, until into his 80th year. Rheumatoid Arthritis arrived and life got more difficult. They moved to a house on 95th Avenue and have lived there for the past seventeen years. Clarence entered the hospital on Saturday April 12, 2014 and passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in Dawson Creek at the age of 90 years. Clarence was predeceased by his parents Norman (1979) & Pearl (1979) Mills; daughter Yvonne Carey (2005), his eldest sister Edna Clayton (1994), his father-in-law Torgeir (Ted) Sandnes (1996), his brothers-in-law Don Clayton (1978), Larry Doherty (2001), Carl Sandnes (2006), and nephew Jack Dyer (2006). Clarence is survived by Inga, his wife of 61 years; his son Marvin (Connie) and grandson Brandon of West Kelowna; son-in-law Phil Carey; sister Irene (Orville) Dyer of Pitt Meadows; his sister Bettie Doherty of Prince George; brother-in-law Albert (Vi) Sandnes and sister-in-law Adeline Sandnes of Dawson Creek; and many special nieces and nephews and their families. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Bethel Pentecostal Church, Dawson Creek. Pastor Gordon Warriner officiated. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Clarence to The Gideons, Box 3619 Stn Main Guelph, Ontario N1H-9Z9. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Memorial Service 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Bethel Pentecostal Church 11501 17 Ave Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada Pastor Gordon Warriner officiated.