To his family and childhood friends, he was known as Damon. He enlisted in the Army in 1946 and was trained as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. He spent much of his Army enlistment in Japan after WWII. When given the chance to enlist into the newly organized US Air Force, he took the opportunity. Thus began a career that took him abroad and stateside, including 2 assignments at Whiteman AFB as well as North Carolina, Nebraska, and Texas . He retired in 1969 to Knob Noster after working in aircraft maintenance, including as a crew chief, on multiple airframes. Red then went on to join the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in Knob Noster and Whiteman AFB, where he served his community another 20 years.
He married Norma Lee Netz on March 4, 1951 in Adrian, MO and they were together 65 years until her passing on April 17, 2016. He was a devoted member of the First Christian Church of Knob Noster, serving in many capacities. He was also an active Lions club member, serving as the club secretary for many years. Red was twice named a Melvin Jones Fellow for humanitarian service. This is the highest form of recognition conferred on an individual by Lions Club International. He was extremely involved in the multiyear project restoring a WWII WACO glider on Whiteman AFB, recalling his own glider experiences and enjoying the comradery of the dedicated team of volunteers. He was known throughout the community, from the concession stand at the ball diamonds to the Commander’s Office on base.
Red is survived by his children and their spouses: Michael and Carolyn (Leubbering) Mills of Columbia, MO, Kay and Michael Stauffer of Knob Noster, Mark and Olga (Reveles) Mills of Dallas, GA, and Melody and Ronald Stephan of Lenexa, KS. He also leaves 7 grandchildren: Micah and Caroline Stauffer, Jesse and Lisa Stauffer-Baum, Andrew and Carley Stauffer, Elizabeth and Gregory Stephan and Kendall and Kasey Mills. There are four great grandchildren: Aliana, Annaliese, Aria Belle, and Ariana. He also leaves his sisters Maxine Rush of Archie, MO, Beverly (Sam) Fuller of Butler, MO, and Barbara (Bill) Berrier of Carlsbad, CA, his sisters in law Shirley Netz Kirby of Murrels Inlet, SC and Patty Mills Empson of Independence, MO and numerous nieces and nephews. Damon was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, an infant sister Lillis Ann, and two brothers, Robert and Dale Mills.
Countless friends, neighbors and acquaintances will recall his many acts of kindness often done with no regard for recognition. His service to this world was the gift of hard work and dedication to the task.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 23 from 5:30-8:00pm at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg. Funeral services will be at First Christian Church in Knob Noster on Wednesday January 24 at 10:00am with Pastor Mel Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Knob Noster cemetery with military honors.
Memorial Contribution are suggested to Missouri Veterans Home or First Christian Church of Knob Noster and can be left in care of the funeral home.
