The world became a little less colorful place on December 14, 2017 when the extraordinary life of John Charles Mills came to an end. He was born in Tahlequah, OK on February 15, 1953 to John Dee and Patricia Mills who celebrated the newest member of the Cherokee Indian Nation.

As a teenager, he was a star athlete at Fort Smith Northside High School following his family's move to Arkansas. He proudly bore the football scars that lent credibility to his stories thereafter. But it was when his cousin, Kathy Goodman, signed him up to sing in the high school talent show that Johnny's life changed course. He was tall, good-looking, charismatic, musically gifted and born to perform. He won the contest and quickly became proficient on the guitar and bass as well. He joined garage bands and started to play small club venues before he was of legal age to do so. He honed his skills as a musician and entertainer while performing in front of some tough crowds. At the age of 27, John was asked to join the 70s and 80s band Caper, who toured the US and gained popularity, even among celebrity fans including Cher and Wolfman Jack. For ten years, he lived out of suitcases and traveled by tour van to Casinos in Las Vegas and hotels in Miami. He was a man's man who loved the Dallas Cowboys but only when they were winning. He was a lady's man too, as throngs of fans would show up to hear him sing and would swoon as he belted out 70s-era love ballads. It was the life he was meant to lead but could be lonesome at times as well.

The long touring dates placed distance between John and his family, including his two sons, Jon Aaron Mills and Joshua Davis, who were never far from his thoughts. He passed his down time by seeking answers to complex, heady questions. He was fascinated by the mysteries of human origin, the time/space continuum, quantum physics and spirituality. His brain raced at a pace with which few others could follow. Eventually, he grew weary of life on the touring circuit and found his way back to Arkansas. He continued to perform with various bands professionally on weekends and maintained close ties to fellow musicians, but his true focus shifted to reconnecting with his family.

In 2012, John suffered the tragic loss of his younger sister, Debra Mills Wagner, of Kansas City, KS. He helped his mother get through the loss as well. In his sister's absence, and feeling woefully underqualified for the task, he faithfully cared for his mother throughout a long-term illness. She preceded him in death, as did his father and oldest son, Jon Aaron, all of whom died during the course of 2017. By year's end, it proved too much for John to bear and his own heart stopped beating two weeks following his son's death.

John leaves behind a loving family including: two half-sisters, Sun Dee Mills McCauley and Kay Cee Mills; his son Joshua Davis who, along with wife Sara, are raising five beautiful children, Katelyn, Josiah, Grayson, Grant and Olivia; aunts, uncles and cousins; a handful of very close friends; and scores of music fans across the US.

Friends and family of John Mills will gather on Sunday, January 14th at 3:00pm for a memorial service to pay tribute to his remarkable life. All are welcome to attend. The event will be held at the Lakewood Indoor Pavilion Activity Center, 4500 Lakeshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72116.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are encouraged to be made to Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, Little Rock, Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation by visiting: www.hwwmohfoundation.org


Cremation arrangements are by Cremation Services of Arkansas (501)313-5431.