Teacher

Those of you who know Dad know that he has always been a teacher. He always loves to give someone a better insight into things that he is familiar with and enjoys.

For example, Dad, being a pioneer in the computer industry, really enjoyed teaching people about how computers operate. He went to the trouble of doing a mockup of a computer. It was a very simple arrangement that was just a black, rectangular box made out of plywood. He took it around to the every one of his kids' classrooms (and obviously there were plenty of those classrooms around) and would do a presentation. He talked to the kids about how a binary counting system worked and how the computer functioned on a binary, on/off principle. It was really very simplistic. He had two sets of four lights and the lights were just a string of Christmas lights. He drilled a hole in the face of the box and stuck the Christmas light through. It was also wired up so that he could switch each light on and off independently. As he switched the lights on and off he would teach the kids how to count in the binary system. I'm sure that that's the first place that I ever learned about the binary system and found it to be something that I've always remembered because my dad is such a great teacher.

I also remember times when dad, to earn a few extra dollars and to do something he likes, went and taught at LDS Business College and some of the other business schools in Salt Lake. He would teach one night or two nights a week. He taught computer programming to kids who were learning how to operate computers. He would always bring home a big stack of mimeograph handouts and we the kids were his collating machine. We'd start at the first stack and move our way down picking up one sheet out of each stack and then stapling them together. I remember a number of times working around a big table dad bought that used to sit down the basement. We would just work our way around the table, taking a sheet off of each stack of mimeographed copies, collating them and stapling them together so that he could use them at his class that evening at the business college.

--Mike

Power of Prayer

Being a man who loves the outdoors, my dad decided that he and I were going to have a backwoods adventure. Every year, we went on vacation to Yellowstone National Park. One year when I was about 11 or 12, Dad decided that we should go fishing at one at the wilderness lakes in the backwoods at Yellowstone. It was going to require a hike of several miles and when we got there we were going to fish and see what we could catch. Fishing was always free at Yellowstone so you didn't even need a fishing license and we had decided that we were going to set out on a fun adventure.

Dad decided that we could make a raft that we could lash together and float it out onto the lake which we did. We never got too far away from shore but nevertheless it just put us a little farther out into the lake where we could do a little bit more fishing. I remember the fishing particularly because I caught a 19 or 20 inch lake trout. It was the biggest fish that I ever caught. I was so excited that I had pulled in such a great big fish. In fact, it was so big that the creel that we had to keep the fish in was torn as a result of the fish being so big.

Anyway, we finished fishing and started to walk back to the road where we had planned to meet mom and the other kids. We must have gotten turned around somehow and found our way not arriving at the destination that we had hoped to. We walked quite a ways and it just started getting dark.

As luck would have it, not only did the sun set but the clouds moved in and the rain started. We were out in the middle of nowhere, soaked to the skin, and in fact we lost the trail. The trail led into a meadow that was overgrown with grass and we were couldn’t follow the trail in the darkness.

We had no compass and it was so dark we couldn’t see the map and didn’t think to bring any light because we had not planned to be out that long. Our only hope was prayer. Dad said we should kneel down wet and cold in the middle of the woods in Yellowstone National Park and pray that we would be guided to a location where we could find safety. We did that and when we were done, it appeared to us that we could see lights on the horizon. We walked through the woods toward that light and somehow or another we stumbled across what was a right-of-way for an old power line. We could not see the wires of the power line but we could see that the trees along the right of way had been cut down shorter than the rest of the naturally growing trees. In fact, it was so dark, that we could not see our hands held in front of our faces. We had to hold onto the end of each other's fishing rod to be able to stay together.

Having come across this right-of-way, Dad said he we sure that this would lead us to something civilized. We followed it for awhile until we saw headlights of cars through the trees. I set out at a sprint attempting to get to the roadway and flag down a car. Here I was an 11‑year-old boy soaked to the skin standing out in the middle of nowhere flagging cars that were driving on the roadway and I distinctly remember to my chagrin that at least two or three cars passed me by and didn't even pull over. I was baffled and I still am. Nevertheless, eventually someone pulled in. I had twisted my ankle in the process of trying to scurry to the road. They loaded us into their car and took us to where we were supposed to meet our ride.

I grateful for that time I got to spend with Dad. I know that our Heavenly Father watched over us that night to get us home safely and it is through instances like this that my Dad taught me the power of prayer.

--Mike

Unconditional Love

Everyone has been hounding me to do a "memory" for Dad's 80th birthday. These stories are fun. But, if I am posting something for the world to see about my parents. They should know that the clearest "memory" I have of Dad and Mom, is that they always loved me unconditionally. They are outstanding examples of faith, service, and sacrifice. Thank you for your endless patience with a son who was at times stubborn or disobedient. You are tremendous parents, and you have set a great example for your children to follow in raising our families. I hope you have a great birthday. I love you very much.
--Brian

Magnify Priesthood

Of the memories I have of Grandpa Mills the best ones usually revolve around sacred ordinances. I remember Grandpa attending my baptism, when I was given the priesthood, received my endowments and finally when I was married. He has always been there for me and been there during those sacred times. He has also been a good example to me of a worthy priesthood holder.

When I was given the priesthood he told me to always magnify my priesthood. He explained that a magnifying glass can make things bigger, focus in on objects and even be used to burn ants! He told me that magnifying the priesthood meant to focus in on our Savior and the power that he has given us as priesthood holders to help his children. I feel like he has done that throughout his life. Thank you Grandpa for your great example and your love that you show to me and my wife. We both love you so much.
--Joshua

Priesthood Session

I know Dad loves the Lord. I also know he has a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. When I was a teenager we use to go into the tabernacle for the Priesthood Session of Conference. I remember I didn’t really like going, but he would take us out for ice cream after. He was showing his love for the Savior and his love for me.
--David

Great Man

He is a great man and has taught me how to be a man. The way he lives his life is an example to the world. He has had some trials and stumbling blocks placed in his path, and has overcome them. What an example he is! This is a man who loves his family, he not only says it but he shows it.

This was exemplified when he had all 8 children living at home and he was still willing to move Grandma and Grandpa Syme into his home to love and take care of them. Dad, I am glad you welcomed Teri into the family and treated her like your own daughter. I love the way you interact with Joshua, Elise and Mikayla and have always shown them you love them. You continue to be an example to me by the way you have welcomed Jaimie-lyn and Andrew into our family.

I am glad you have the Bob Hope gene and gave it to us. As kids it has always been fun. I love you.
--David

Work Hard

Dad taught us to work hard as we grew up I remember going down to the stockyard and getting loads of manure to spread on the garden and lawn. We weeded and watered the garden and took care of the yard. We worked around the house. We all had chores. I remember helping finish the basement. We changed the oil in our cars and anything else that we could do. My Dad used to tell me I was good with my hands.

We had a side business putting in mow strips for people. We dug the small trenches around the flower beds and set the molds, mixed the cement and poured it and finished the tops and edges. I don’t think we made any money, but I remember the work.
--David

Vacations

Our road trips were an adventure. I remember all of us piling in the old blue pickup with the camper shell on the back and pulling that pop-up trailer. Four of us in the cab and everyone else in the camper. If we had the same seat belt laws back then as we do now those trips would never have happened.

We all know that Dad loves our Savior and on our vacations we would go to church. It didn’t matter if we had forgotten our Sunday shoes, pants or any other piece of clothing we still went.
--David

A Magnificent Example

Last year for English, I had to write a paper about someone in my life that has had trials. I didn't know who I should write about. Then my mom started telling me about Grandpa's childhood. I was really interested, so I decided to go ask Grandpa some questions. He told me lots of stories that were funny, but he also told me some pretty sad stories. The story that stood out to me was the story when he accidentally threw his chocolate bar into the fire. Despite all of hardships Grandpa had to go through, he is AMAZING! He doesn't let his past weigh him down. He was such an example of enduring and working to get what you want, and I look up to him. I love Grandpa!

--Mikell

Work Ethic

My strongest memory of Grandpa is his work ethic. I remember being woken up in the dark to have family prayer so Grandpa could get to work. What a great example!
--Bethany

Personal Interviews

On fast Sunday each month we would each get to go in and talk to Dad about our goals for the coming week. Dad had a huge folding table set up as his desk in his bedroom and I’d sit on the bed and he’d sit behind his table and we had a private moment in a house filled to capacity. We’d talk about goals and school and what was going on in my little life. It was special because I got time alone with Dad.
--Marilyn

Part of the Family

Happy 80th Birthday Claude! The memories I have of being in the Mills’ family involve both Claude and Joyce, so here goes. One memory that stands out in my mind is shortly after Brian and I got engaged, they invited me and my parents out to dinner to talk about our wedding plans. We went to the Mandarin and it was delicious, but what impressed me most was the concern I felt from them that we have the nicest wedding possible while staying within our budget. We had a wonderful wedding! I love thinking back on that day. I appreciate all the support and love that I have received from them from the time we met until now.

I have loved spending time with the family. I love the family dinners. They give us a chance to visit with each other monthly and stay in touch with each other. I love the waffles! Even though I make them now myself, they don’t taste as good as Joyce’s. I loved having family night with them. It was nice to have them both one on one with just our family occasionally. I enjoyed going on all the Labor Day vacations, and our whole family looks forward to our time at Wolf Creek.

I appreciate their love and support of my kids. I love them both very much! I love Brian with all my heart, and I’m so glad that I have had the opportunity to be his wife and to be a member of the Mills family.
--Kathy

Favorite Scripture

Dad loves the scriptures. I think one of his much loved callings is teaching gospel doctrine. One scripture that Dad wanted us all to memorize and one that he could apply to almost any lesson is found in Mosiah 3: 19.

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Dad has taken this scripture to heart. He personifies these qualities and is truly a SAINT. He has submitted to all that the Lord has inflicted upon him and smiles through it all.

--Lisa

Claude's Generosity

I have a great father-in-law. He is one of the most kind and generous men that I know. His generosity was greatly demonstrated when I met him for the first time.

Michelle is obviously the youngest of 8 kids and it appears that by the time I arrived on the scene Claude was more than ready to have the house to himself and Joyce. Anyway, when I saw Michelle and her parents at a church function, Michelle and I began to get reacquainted—we had known each other a little before the event. Michelle then introduced me to her parents, and her dad said something like, "So you’re in college Matt?" "Yes," I replied. "Well," he generously offered, "Michelle here is done with school is working full time and not dating anyone—she teaches math at a junior high. You know if you married her she could put you through college." Who could refuse such an offer. A few months later, Michelle and I were married. What bonuses: a great wife and mother, a financial support during school, and a math tutor to boot.

Another example of his generosity is how he maintains and keeps a small red 1989 Toyota truck. He thinks that every family should have a truck so that each member of the family can use it for those "truck necessary" tasks. Well, each year he pays to tax, license, and if necessary, repair the truck. That little truck has helped each of his children's family.

--Matt Crawford

Bulk Shopping

Dad has always been (and still is) a bulk shopper. One is never enough. Whenever there was a sale, there were always instructions for Mom to stock up. He definitely never wants to be without. I 'm sure it has to do with growing up in the depression and the prophets counsel to have a year supply. That being said, I was never sad when Pop Shoppe went on sale because, of course, that meant we would buy some in mass quantities. I would take advantage of this situation (and I know I am not the only one) by going down to the storage room and taking a Pop Shoppe. It was a treat I always enjoyed! Thanks Dad!
--Lisa