Ronald Dewayne Mills Sr

Ronald Dewayne Mills, Sr. died in his home on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the age of 79. Ronnie, as he was known to his friends, was friendly, generous and absolutely devoted to his family, especially Pat, his wife of 50 years.

Ronnie was born on October 29, 1946, the son of Buster Brown Mills and his wife AltaMae. He was raised in north Texas, growing up playing jokes on his sisters, fishing and outrunning snakes with BL and eating lots of watermelon. He loved his siblings dearly and maintained a close, loving relationship with the four who survive him until his last day.

Ron and Pat met at a sock hop dance in Denton, Texas on October 31, 1964 and were married a year later, on October 11, 1965. Their first child was Rhonda, followed by Ronald, Jr. and Chastain. After Pat died in 2016, Ronnie continued to wear his wedding ring for the rest of his life, and never considered marrying again. “When you have found the perfect girl,” he said, “there is no reason to look for another.”Pat began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late-1970’s. Ron began to notice that she was becoming a better person, mother and wife as she learned and began to follow Bible teachings. This got his attention and he soon began studying the Bible himself. On June 28, 1980, Ronnie was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was especially drawn to the Bible’s promise of life on a paradise earth, free from the problems and tragedies we currently deal with.

Ronnie lived a life of service to others. He earned his living as a person everybody needs but few find: a skilled and honest auto mechanic. Ronnie was always fair to everybody he served. He frequently gave discounted and even free mechanic work to those who needed help most. He often told friends who gave much of their time as volunteer ministers that they didn’t owe him anything. He would simply tell them “It’s been taken care of.” He was always available to give free assistance to friends asking how they could repair their own car. He would frequently diagnose problems by asking the person to make the noise their car was making.

He served his congregation as an elder for a time, and was known as a kind, concerned shepherd. At restaurants, he always planned to pick up the check, and would get mad if someone grabbed it first. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, playing, fishing and teaching them what he thought they needed to know.

Ronnie is survived by his three children: Rhonda & her husband Tony, Chastain and his wife Seila, and Ronald, Jr. He is survived by ten grandchildren: Jonathan, Trevor, Jason,Hunter, Ashley, Ryan, Aiden, Journey, Laynie and Henry. He is also survived by his brother Buster Lee, or BL, and his sisters Jennifer & husband Joe, Nancy & husband Earland Pam & husband Mike, along with many caring nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife Pat, his father, Buster Brown Mills, mother AltaMae Mills and sisters Euglana Mills, Betty Lou Mills and Patricia Chandler. Jesus’ promise of a resurrection at John 5:28 & 29 says “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life”. Ronnie would be so happy to know that the words that comforted him when he lost Pat are comforting his loved ones today.