James Henry Millis, Sr.
Whereas, James Henry Millis, Sr. was born July 30th, 1927 in High Point, North Carolina; and
Whereas, he graduated from the McCallie School in 1941 and attended Davidson College. At the outbreak of World War II he enlisted in the service of our country along with many of his classmates, the class of 1942, who served with great distinction and sacrifice; and
Whereas, he qualified as an officer/pilot in the Army Air Corps, trained at Cochran Field in Montgomery Alabama and later piloted a P-47 Thunderbolt with the 379th Fighter Squadron operating in the European Theatre; and
Whereas, he returned from the war, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and joined the family business, Adams Millis Hosiery. He was named President in 1953, assumed chairmanship of the organization in 1953 and in 1974 was named Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership Adams Millis grew into an industry leader employing hundreds of High Point citizens and provided effective leadership for the local business community over the years; and
Whereas, he founded the James H. and Jesse E. Millis Family Foundation in 1989 which, over the years, has generously supported projects and initiatives in the areas of education, health, youth, diversity, and Christian ministry. Noteworthy projects included the Millis Athletic Center at High Point University, the United Way of Greater High Point Corporate Offices, Family Services of the Piedmont , the Millis Community Health Center, the Youth Unlimited Boys Home, the High Point YMCA facilities endowment, the High Point Regional Health Systems Endowment, Hospice of High Point; and
Whereas, he served as the Chairman of the Bicentennial Campaign for the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as Chairman of the High Point United Way, Chairman of the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation. He and Jesse were founding members of United Way of Greater High Point's Alexis de Tocqueville Society. He was President of the High Point Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the High Point Economic Development Council, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, High Point Regional Hospital, the Uwharrie Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the North/South Carolina United States Olympic Committee, the High Point Regional Hospital Endowment, the High Point University Board of Trustees, and he served prominently on the Wachovia Bank Board of Trustees; and
Whereas, he was awarded a multitude of honors over the years for his service, his generosity and his commitment to our country, state, and community, yet we believe that to faithfully record these recognitions would not be the desire of our dear friend. He would, instead, want to be remembered by what he considered his greatest blessing and legacy: his family. He was a loving and caring husband to his beautiful wife, Jesse, with whom he partnered in all the blessings of life. He was a devoted father to his children; Jim Jr., Bill, Emily, and Molly, and a caring grandfather and great-grandfather to his much-beloved future generations of the Millis family. Most importantly, he was a believer in the risen Christ and he professed his trust in the power of the Cross which he poignantly displayed in the courageous manner in which he approached the end of his earthly life and his final journey home; and
Whereas, he and Jesse were principal architects in the establishment of the High Point Community Foundation through their bold leadership, persistence, vision, and generosity. He served on the inaugural Executive Board of the Community Foundation, as Chairman of the Investment Committee and a contributing member of the Development Committee. He and Jesse became the inaugural recipients of the Foundation's highest recognition, "The Philanthropist of the Year Award," in 2000. His commitment and his passion for the foundation's mission of serving the unmet needs of the community will forever be remembered and appreciated by future generations to come.