Homer Mills

Homer Leon "Buddy" Mills, Jr., age 70 of Medina, TX, passed into the presence of God on September 26, 2015 in Kerrville, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in San Antonio to Doris Robbins Mills and Homer Leon Mills, Sr. on November 5, 1944. He married the love of his life, Elayne Walker, on May 5, 1979.\r\n \r\nHe attended parochial school, Texas Military Institute, and McArthur High School in San Antonio. He graduated from St. Mary's University with a degree in history. In February 1970 after serving in college ROTC, he received his commission to the United States Army as 2nd Lieutenant. His army training as a forward observer brought him to several military stations, to include Ft. Bragg, Fort Sam Houston and Fort Bliss. He particularly enjoyed serving as information officer at Fort Sam Houston. He served honorably and was discharged at the rank of Captain in February 1976. \r\n \r\nBuddy entered the private work force as a warehouse and personnel manager for Central States Diversified. He later worked as a warehouse manager for Wal-Mart until accepting a job at Bandera Electric Cooperative in 1990. He retired after 22 years of faithful service on the job.\r\n \r\nBuddy had many passions throughout his life. As a young man, his passion was split between little league baseball and hunting. He was on the Highland Park Lyons All Star Team in 1956. His mother introduced him to hunting as a toddler, sitting on her lap in a deer blind in Leon Valley and thus began his lifelong passion for the outdoors. He and his parents hunted south Texas and the hill country all their lives resulting in many trophy whitetails. Time went by, Buddy's focus shifted to "hunting "with his camera. His collections of thousands of pictures of deer and other animals, sunsets, and the Texas landscape revealed his true artistic gift. Numerous photos have been published including one chosen for the cover of the tenth anniversary edition of the Texas Trophy Hunters Magazine. Buddy had a deep love for all animals, both wildlife and his precious "kitties" and dogs. He loved to browse the junk shops and antique stores, shopping for his beloved Elayne. He shopped all year long and had many hiding places for his finds. Buddy was a man of strong but quiet faith in the Lord. He felt closest to the Lord as he interacted with all of the beauty that God revealed to him through nature. \r\n \r\nThe notable French photographer Marc Riboud once said, "Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second." You can see in Buddy's photographs, through his eyes, how he savored his life and how he shared it with others.\r\n \r\nHis parents, Homer Mills Sr. and Doris R. Mills, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Elayne, and numerous relatives. \r\n\r\nVisitation will be held Friday, October 2, 2015, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Bandera.\r\n \r\nFuneral services will be held Saturday, October 3 at 10 am at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera, Texas with Pastor Bill Stegemueller officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Rest Cemetery in Medina. \r\n\r\nPallbearers will be John Stein, Eddie Rowe, Clay Walker, Josh Friedman, Larry Friedman, Randy MacNaughton, Jim Stinebaugh, and Charlie Walker. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Limon, Robert Fox, James Keller, and Ron Mercier.\r\n \r\nMemorials may be given to Peterson Hospice in Kerrville, TX, Medina United Methodist Church, and the Alzheimer's Association.\r\n \r\nElayne Wishes to extend a special thanks to Peterson Hospice, Hilltop Village, Bill Stegemueller, brother and sisters, family, and many many friends who have ministered to her during Buddy's long illness.\r\n