More detail on this person: Donnell Or Don Delayne Mills, 62 Donnell Delayne 'Don' Mills Missoulian (Missoula, MT) - Saturday, October 23, 2010 MESA, Ariz. - Donnell Delayne "Don" Mills, 62, died Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, in his Mesa, Ariz., home with his family by his side. He had a short battle with cancer and is now at the peace with the Lord. He was born in Great Falls and raised on the family farm in Power. He always said, "high school, flight school, Vietnam." He served in Vietnam, 1969-1970, as a chief warrant officer, rotor wing aviator, with the 101st Army Airborne. He received many medals during the Vietnam campaign, including the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster awarded for valor. He continued upon Army discharge with the Montana National Guard and retired with 20 years of service. Don graduated from the University of Montana in 1978 and completed his education in 1980 as a certified public accountant. He worked as a CPA upon graduation, but his love of flying gave him his lifelong occupation as a helicopter pilot. He like flying with the "doors off," so it was natural for him to work the summer Forest Service contracts in fire control. He was a Life Flight pilot with St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula for 12 years and transferred in 2000 to Native Air in Mesa, again as an emergency medical air pilot until his illness in February. He saw the crop dusters flying over Power, and as a child wanted to fly. He accomplished that goal with 40 years as a helicopter pilot. Don touched many lives with his love, kindness and gentleness. He kept his sense of humor until the end. His reply to many situations was, "poor planning on your part is not an emergency on my part" and "this, too, shall pass." Grandpa was the name he cherished most. He loved to cook weekend breakfast for his grandchildren. His wood workshop gave him quiet time, where he created many memories for his family. Don is survived by his wife, Chloe, and sister-in-law, Nettie, at their Mesa home; children, Brent and Stephanie Mills of Dayton, Nev., Jennifer Kimsey-Mills of Reno, Nev., and Amanda (Coleman) and Anthony Munoz of Mesa; siblings, Bill and Elly Mills of Helena, Bertie Turville of Fairfield, and Sandy and Bill Bachman of Brighton, Colo.; and grandchildren, Riley, Aleena, Olyssa, AJ, Emma and Sydney. Memorial services will be held at Gospel Light Baptist Church, 235 N. Crismon Road, Mesa, AZ 85207. A memorial fund has been set for the Gospel Light Baptist Church Christian School at the same address, in lieu of any flowers. Burial will be in Montana at a later date.
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