David Mills

David Alanson Mills

David Alanson Mills, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away after a long-term illness on May 30, 2021 at the age of 82.

David was born April 10, 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Alanson Mills and Madeline (Merrill) Mills. He graduated from East High School in 1957. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering in 1961, and graduated from Stanford with a Master’s of Business Administration in 1964.

David did many notable things such as participating in the Army Corps of Engineers where he helped to build Guardsman’s Pass, constructed a house on Kauai, Hawaii and obtained his pilot’s license. He spent the majority of his career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with numerous clients around the western US and as far away as Hawaii. After he retired, David, and his wife Lana, were grateful to have the opportunity to serve multiple missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including the Honolulu, Hawaii Mission, the Temple Square Mission and the Omaha, Nebraska Mission.

David enjoyed many physical activities and was known for boating, waterskiing, snow skiing, bicycling, and hiking until he was physically unable. His hobbies included tinkering in his garage, gardening, doing math ‘for fun’, and playing with his grandchildren. He was known as a ‘MacGyver’ and a tool aficionado, and was adept in many trades including electrical, welding, plumbing, woodworking, and anything he could use his engineering background on.

David believed in honest hard work, and taking responsibility when things went awry. To the end, David desired joy and purpose in his everyday activities and always looked at the glass half full. We will miss his can-do, fix-it attitude and jovial spirit.

David is survived by his loving wife, Lana (Buck) Mills of 32 years and his children, Melissa (Jared) Smith; Amy (Joe) Hansen; and Stephen (Eva) Mills, as well as his nine grandchildren and siblings, Lynda (Mark) Simmons; Katherine Olsen; Margaret (Ken) Petersen; and John Mills.

David is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law David Olsen, and his sister-in-law Barbara Mills.

A private family viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd from 5-6pm, followed by a public viewing from 6-7:30pm at the Eaglepoint Stake Center located at 900 Eaglepoint Drive, North Salt Lake, Utah. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 3rd at 1:30pm at Mount Olivet Cemetery (1342 E 500 S, SLC).

The Mills family would like to thank Brio Hospice and specifically Nuii Ulii and Ashley Phillips for their extraordinary care and love they showed to David. Ashley is an angel in a uniform and David loved her for the dignity and the compassion she provided to him.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the LDS Humanitarian Services.

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