Terril Brent Mills

Terril Mills was born on May 8, 1938 to Francis and Maxine Mills in Forgan, OK. He grew up in Forgan and attended Forgan Public School. He played football but his favorite was playing the trumpet in band and singing. He sang locally for church, weddings, funerals and special events.Singing became a lifelong passion. He also had a great interest in nice cars, airplanes and later in dirt bikes. He graduated high school in 1956.

Terril was proud to serve in the US Navy. He was stationed in California. He worked on engines in jet airplanes and went around the horn aboard the USS Constellation. He served from 1959 to 1963.

While in California, Terril met his future wife Neva Maxine (Mackie) Rankin. They were married in the Nazarene Church on August 19, 1960 in Richmond, California. They remained married for 58 years.

When Terril’s tour of duty was over they made their home in Forgan, OK. On July 22, 1964 their daughter, Misty Lynn Mills was born in Beaver, OK.

He enjoyed taking his wife and daughter on family vacations. Whether it was dirt biking and exploring in the mountains with friends, camping with his sister and her family, or traveling to see family that lived several states away, it was always an adventure.

Terril worked in the oilfield as a pumper for Ashland Oil for 10 years. He also worked for        Mid-America Pipeline as an electrical-mechanical technician and later as a pipeline dispatcher.  He retired in 2000 after working for them for 26 years.

Terril Mills loved his family, friends and community but most of all he loved God. He was a deacon in the Baptist church. He loved to sing in the church. He sang solos, in a quartet, and in the choir. He sang duets with his daughter Misty while his wife Mackie played the piano and sang duets with his sister Phyllis. He sang with a group of the family as well.

Terril passed away October 2, 2018 at the Beaver County Nursing Home in Beaver, OK having been there for one month.

Terril Mills was preceded in death by his parents Francis A and Letha Maxine Mills. He is survived by his wife of the home, Neva Maxine (Mackie) Mills; his daughter Misty Van Buskirk, her husband Jeff Van Buskirk and two grandsons Joel and Jonathan Van Buskirk all of Hobbs, NM; his sister Phyllis Farmer of Forgan, OK; and many well-loved nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations can be made in Terril Mills’ name and sent to First Baptist Church, PO Box 9, Forgan, OK 73938 for the music ministry.