RODNEY JAMES MILLS
June 24, 1963-August 29, 2022 Of Golden Colorado
On August 29th, 2022, our dear brother/father/grandfather/uncle/friend, Rodney James Mills completed his journey here on Earth after losing a two-year battle to prostate cancer.
Rod was born June 24th, 1963, in Raleigh, North Carolina to Shirley (Sheri) Mae Tilley and Larry Wayne Mills. Rod grew up in Denver, Colorado with his two sisters, Karen and Patricia. At a young age, Rod took on the responsibility as the fatherly protector until 1977 when Sheri met Ronald Buen, who then assumed position as “the man of the house” and Dad for all three kids. From a life filled with “pain and hurt”, rooted by a troubled upbringing, Rod struggled with personal demons and felt he had no role models to steer him from “so many encounters with the wrong side of the law”. Despite “many broken relationships”, he wanted nothing more than to be a “Simple Man”. Through all of the darkness, Rodney Mills was able to love many persons deeply, achieve honorable rewards, and portray himself through his artwork.
Rod had earned his GED in 1980 and then enlisted into the Army in 1981, where he completed his three-month bootcamp training in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Rod married his first love, Kim Blakley in 1982 before he was stationed at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, CO to undergo Nuclear Biological Chemical Training. There, due to his diligent performance, he received The Army Achievement Medal on June 22nd, 1983. Rod was then stationed in Frankfurt, Germany to begin his combat training for the war at Desert Storm. Before he could fight in the war, he received “ Under Other Than Honorable Discharge” and therefore returned home to his wife and their daughter, Stevie Mills. Rod and Kim then departed ways in 1988.
In early 1990, Rod’s path in life crossed with Leah Daigle’s. Through their romantic journey, they had children Ryan and Natalie Daigle. After the passing of his mother in 1997, Rod began his hard battle with addiction, which spun his and Leah’s relationship causing them to separate shortly after. Later, he found himself in love with Sherrell Martinez, the two were married in 2007. In face of a less than rocky relationship, Rod and Sherrell created a love bound with support, compassion, and understanding. Before she passed away in January 2020, Rod spent Sherrell’s last moments giving her his devoted love and caring heart.
Rod was considered a jack of all trades. He studied at Emily Griffith Technical College for Workman Trade in construction and HVAC. His titles include journeyman, foreman, and director of operations. Rod put his many great skills to use throughout the Denver-Metro area; after many experienced years, he was able to lend his knowledge and helping hand in the construction of Coors Field Stadium. It wasn’t until later when Rod decided to quit his job in HVAC to follow his passion and became a professional artist. He then studied at the Art Students League of Denver. Rod's passion and safe-haven with the pencil lead him to many local art shows, as well as being appointed the honor to paint a mural at the Veterans Affairs facility in downtown Denver, where he later continued to advocate and support veterans with PTSD.
In July of 2020, Rod received his diagnosis and quickly began his treatments at Denver Health Medical Center. He underwent many rounds of chemotherapy which gave him additional time to spend holidays, birthdays, special occasions, and family trips with his sisters, nieces, daughter, and grandchildren. Rod’s fierce and determined spirit fought a long and hard battle, which gave him additional time to make treasured memories with his loved ones. As a result, he used the last two years of his life to create art, share stories, find new hobbies, and laugh. Rod’s sisters can say, in the end, he truly felt love around him and could finally see himself as the perfect man he sought after so deeply.
Rodney J. Mills was preceded in death by his wife Sherrell, parents, Shirley (Sheri) Tilley-Buen and Ronald (Ron) Buen (1997), grandson Justin Ryan (2005), and grandparents. Rod is survived by his children Stevie Mills, Ryan Daigle, and Natalie Daigle, his sisters Karen Brockelbank and Patricia (Kricket) Shea, five grandchildren, five nieces, and two great-nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11am on Wednesday, September 21st at Thrive Church, 2720 W 92nd Ave, Federal Heights, CO, 80260. The church will hold a reception following the ceremony.
The family would like to thank Collier Hospice Center at Lutheran Medical and the nurses, who helped care for Rod in his final days. We would also like to thank all the family and friends who have shared memories, pictures, songs, and artwork in memory of Rodney.