James “Jim” Craig Millis, born October 17, 1954, passed away on August 13, 2021. At the time of his death, he was living in Allen, Texas., with his beloved wife of 30 years, Katie.
Jim was the son of Craig and Ruth Millis of University Park, Texas, both of whom predeceased him a short while back. He became an accomplished pianist, first-chair clarinet in the Scots’ marching band as well as an Eagle Scout before graduating from Highland Park High School in 1973. He enrolled at Trinity University and earned a BBA in 1977 and shortly thereafter his MBA there in Economics & Finance in 1979.
Before becoming engaged to Katie, Jim launched his career as a self-employed financial consultant and advisor that continued for 36 years. He served clients who came from a diversity of backgrounds, tailoring financial investments and retirements to fit their unique needs and personalities. Jim gave his clientele one of life’s most valuable gifts: a comprehensive roadmap to financial security. He built his business around exhaustive research and expert financial advice, all structured on a strong ethical foundation. Not only will his family and friends grieve his loss but so will his loyal clients, who became his friends. Connecting on many levels with people from all walks of life was a special gift of his.
All lives are unique, but Jim’s was especially so. A committed son to his aging parents and a devoted, loving husband to Katie, his ethos was service oriented. He trained a keen eye on future trends and deployed a critical thinking of the first order. A visionary, Jim could formulate strategies that came to fruition through his meticulous planning and research. No ordinary parameters bound his thinking or encyclopedic knowledge, in part because he was persistent and inquisitive about a wide variety of subjects. Above all, he exuded joy in everyday living. Especially devoted to animals, he demonstrated an extraordinary kindness and intuitive perception about them.
Jim’s wide range of interests reflected his core being. He loved music and continued playing the piano until the last. Theology (he was a church deacon and elder); physics and cosmology; scientific mysteries; and healing, especially holistic medicine, both human and animal, were but a few subjects in a long list of topics that fascinated him. In everything that seized his attention, he followed up with passionate learning.
Few people can touch lives beyond immediate family and a small circle of friends like Jim did. To say he left this world much better for his having been in it is an understatement. The legacy he bequeathed to others was quietly substantial, like his character. He graced lives who were fortunate enough to know him and left them to deeply mourn such an indelible spirit of love and kindness. If people meet just one Jim in their life, they are indeed blessed.
Jim leaves behind his wife, Katie McWilliams Millis; sister, Cathy Millis Juvonen of Estes Park, Colorado; countless friends, and clients who were his friends, as well.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made at the Salvation Army.
Written by Trudi Swedlund, a client and dear friend of Jim’s.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., October 22, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Jim’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: C://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-craig-millis. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.