Rash's Surname Index
Notes for James Paul MILLS
James Paul Mills, 78, sportsman, philanthropist and breeder of champion thoroughbreds, died Sunday at Winchester Hospital in Winchester, Va.
Born in Philadelphia, he began his sports career here, concentrating on horses from the outset. He raised thoroughbreds at his Hickory Tree Farms in Millburg, Va., and was the owner of stakes winners Devil's Bag, Gone West and Believe It.
Mr. Mills, known to his friends as "Gentleman Jim," syndicated the three horses, as well as Chumming and Akureyri. As a 2-year-old, Devil's Bag won the Eclipse Award in 1983 and was honored as "Horse of the Year."
An avid polo player in his day, he was captain of the undefeated Yale Polo team in 1932. Later in the year, he led a U.S. team to Argentina and won the Cup of the Americas.
He also led the American Polo Team at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
During World War II, he was commanding officer of the 319th Bomb Group assigned to the 12th Air Force. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Air Corps.
An investment banker who had been associated with the firm of Smith Barney, he was active on the boards of many corporations and a number of charities.
He was a director of Allegheny Airlines, a member of the Jockey Club, the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and a director of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
He was a former member of the Racquet, Tennis and Meadowbrook Clubs.
He helped found the National Arthritis Foundation and served as a director. He founded Mills Branch, an organization named for him, in Warrenton, Va.
He was one of the first volunteers on whom cortisone was tested.
Mr. Mills was a graduate of St. Paul's School and was a 1932 graduate of Yale University.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Frances du Pont Mills; daughters, Phyllis Wyeth and Mrs. William Able Smith; son, James Paul Jr., and two grandchildren.
Services will be held tomorrow at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Middleburg, Va.
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