Obituary of Stephen Mills

Mills, Stephen Kent "Steve," was born March 21, 1945 in Fort Worth, TX to Kenneth N. and Dorothy (Combs) Mills. He began his journey home Thursday, December 20th, 2007 at the age of 62. Steve moved with his family to Tulsa in 1952. He attended Patrick Henry School and graduated from Edison High School in 1963. In the meantime, his father was laying the groundwork for an engineering business that would later define Steve's entrepreneurial spirit. In 1968, Steve began working for his father's business, KENCO Engineering Company, while completing a Business degree at the University of Tulsa. When Kenneth Mills passed away in 1976, Steve assumed the role of President. KENCO, which had just 6 employees at the time, thrived under his leadership and became an important Tulsa manufacturing company, with more than 70 employees and various innovative products. Several worldwide industries use the products that have been developed by KENCO Engineering Company. Steve served as President of KENCO until 2000; he continued as Chairman of the Board until his passing. Steve devoted his time and his resources to giving and serving others. He was a driver for Meals on Wheels, he supported Emergency Infant Services with his time and resources, contributed regularly to Helping Hands Ministry and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. Steve will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 39 years, Marian Martin Mills; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and David Ragland; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Sunny Mills; nephew, Christopher Nelson; nieces, Susan Mallory and Jennifer Nelson. Steve leaves 3 grandchildren in Robert Ragland, Katie Ragland, and Bodhi Southard. He also had a grandnephew, Stuart Nelson. Steve was blessed to have all of his family living in Tulsa. He will always be remembered by these family members as a loving, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sylvia Anne Nelson. Steve will be remembered in his passing for his courage, humility, witty sense of humor and strong faith. Steve lived his life in a dignified manner that serves as an inspiration to his family members, friends and employees. A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, December 22, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, 709 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK, following a private family graveside committal at Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may contribute in Steve's memory to the First Presbyterian Church Elementary Education Building Fund; First Presbyterian's Helping Hands Ministry; Emergency Infant Services or Meals on Wheels. The family would like to remind friends of the importance of donating organs to prolong the life of others.