Ronald Reynolds Mills

Ronald Reynolds Mills, Jr. passed away peacefully July 27, 2023 in Deer Park.  He was born February 5, 1949 in Evanston, IL to Ronald Sr. and Millicent Mills.

Ron grew up in Evanston with his three siblings.  He graduated Evanston Township High School in 1966, where he was active in theater and glee club.  He spent his summers at the family home in Fox Lake, where he loved exploring and water skiing, among other activities.  He continued visiting “The Island” throughout his entire life, as it was one of his favorite places to spend time with family and friends.

Ron attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration.  At Notre Dame, he also met his future wife Kristin Purkrabek, who was studying at nearby St. Mary’s College.  The friendships he developed at Notre Dame continued throughout his life.

After graduation, Ron returned to Chicago and began working at Mills Recording, a consumer electronics and recording business which his father founded in 1939.  Ron successfully grew the retail business in downtown Chicago, establishing the company as a recognized name in the industry.  In the early 1990s, he was a pioneer addressing a new market for “custom install” of consumer electronics in homes, rebranding the company as Mills Custom Audio/Video.  He valued the many friendships with team members, colleagues, and customers that he developed in his years at Mills.  Mills Technologies continues today as a third-generation family business.

Ron had a lifelong love of the outdoors.  Whether walking through the woods behind his home or camping with his family, he found peace in nature.  Above all, he loved spending time in Colorado, especially Rocky Mountain National Park.  He visited Colorado regularly during his life, first with Kris and then with his entire family and grandchildren.  Some of his best times were spent hiking, photographing wildlife, and sitting in the mountains, taking in the beauty around him.

Ron cherished spending time with his kids and then grandkids.  He coached youth soccer for several years and could always be found on the sidelines cheering his family on – even late in life.

Ron battled Parkinson’s disease for 35 years.  Despite the many challenges from this condition, he continued to do the things that he loved, demonstrating his strength and resiliency.

Ron is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kris; children, Bryan (Alexis), Kimberly, and Jeffrey Mills; grandchildren, Tyler, Jackson, Harper, and Audrey; and siblings, Nancy Woodman, Rick Mills, and Peg (Craig) Sampson.

Memorial visitation will be from 5pm-8pm, Monday July 31 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St. (Lake Cook Road) Barrington.  Funeral mass will be held at 11am Tuesday, August 1 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 N. Ela Street, Barrington.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org