Maury Joel Mills

Houston TX – Maury Joel Mills, 69 years old, passed away from this earth on June 2, 2020 in Houston, TX.  Maury was born in Purcell, OK on February 8, 1951 to the parents of Everett and Daisy (Dickinson) Mills. He was the third son in the Mills family that was reared and raised on a small rural farm in Wayne, Oklahoma.  Maury graduated from Wayne High School in 1969.  He then continued his education by attending Okmulgee Technology School in Okmulgee, OK to later graduate with a degree in drafting in 1971. Maury married Diana Walck in August of 1969 and together they raised four children.

While life on the farm was steady, Maury had a plan to make it to the big city.  He was a talented musician that loved tickling the ivory keys.  During his youth, his parents drove him to piano lessons sometimes up to three times a week in addition to a long drive to Oklahoma City once a week.  This talent would last with him during his career – always taking the opportunity to play for a crowd upon request.  He also loved to travel.  Thankfully for Maury being in sales allowed him the opportunity to not only travel extensively to almost every state in the United States but to many international countries as well including Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai just to name a few.  Maury made it to the big city so far from that little farm in Wayne, OK.  It also should be mentioned that, well it was no secret, Maury loved cars.  From the time of his youth, Maury was a car guy.  He loved to read about cars in any magazine he could get his hands on. He loved to attend car shows and go look at cars every Sunday on the car lot to dream about that next cool ride that he would have in his driveway.  He would never pass on an opportunity to take you for a ride in whatever vehicle he had at the time to show how it could go very fast and, depending if the vehicle was convertible, hopefully you were prepared to be cruising with the top down.

Maury’s career began in 1972 in the valve manufacturing industry in Norman, OK.  This path chosen by Maury would span almost fifty years. From starting out as a local draftsman for a local valve manufacturer in Norman, OK in the early 70’s, he would later be introduced and promoted into sales which he excelled.  Maury took that opportunity to make his mark in a very successful career in valve manufacturing for the oil and gas industry.  Over the span of his career as Vice President of Sales, Director of Marketing, and President for various leading valve manufacturers, in his drive for his own success, Maury also had a profound positive influence on the people he worked with.  Simply put, Maury was a first class guy that one doesn’t come across too often.  A great mentor to many in the valve industry, he touched many lives around him, influencing others to enjoy success in the same career path as he did.

Most important to Maury were his children.  He was a very loving father that was proud of all four children throughout his lifetime.  Maury, also a very proud “Pappy”, loved to show off photos of all his twelve grandkids and two great-grandkids to everyone.

Maury is preceded death by his parents, Everett and Daisy Mills, and his oldest brother Billy Mills.

Survivors include his brother, Terry and wife Patti Mills of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Martha and husband Ryan Stramp of Anchorage, Alaska; four children, James and wife Shelly Mills of Payne, OK, Eric and wife Jennifer Mills of Tulsa, OK, Jason and wife Melissa Mills of Wayne, OK, Tamara and husband Nat Alvarado of Payne, Ok; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Upon his wishes, there will be a small private family memorial. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make donations to the American Heart Association in his honor, or if you prefer and would like to send a card to the family, please forward to the Maury Mills Family c/o Miller Funeral Services 7723 Beechnut Houston, Texas 77074

Online condolences may be made in the ‘Reflections’ area below on this page.

2 thoughts on “Maury Joel Mills

  1. Dan Brown Reply

    Maury was a pleasure to work with. We worked with him at Prince, and Eagle.

  2. JP Nieuwstraten Reply

    I just heard the sad news. I’ve known Maury for 15 years or so and I have good memories of doing business with him and enjoying his company after the business was done. A country to add to his list is The Netherlands. I remeber driving in his Chrysler 300 HEMI through Houston and having a dinner in Dordrecht (NL) where we held a contest. The question what car he was driving was one that was always asked when we spoke again and the story of who won the contest was also one that came to the table if there were people who didn’t know it.

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