Gary Lee Mills

Gary Lee Mills, 82, of Perham, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, after a courageous 15-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary was born on July 14, 1944, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Cliff and Marion Mills. He grew up in Dilworth, Minnesota, and graduated from Dilworth High School in 1962. Shortly after graduation, he proudly joined the United States Marine Corps. Following his service, Gary attended Moorhead State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and played football for MSU. In 1975, he received his Master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Winona State University.

On May 18, 1968, Gary married his childhood sweetheart, Marlys Jean Brophy, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love, laughter, and purpose.

Gary dedicated 32 years of his career to the Lewiston-Altura School District, where he worked as a beloved educator and coach. He coached football, cross country, track and field, and wrestling-mentoring countless students over the years. His athletes achieved success at the highest levels, including state championships in cross country, track, and wrestling. In 1991, Gary's track and field team captured the Minnesota True Team State Championship, and in 1998 he was honored as Minnesota State Coach of the Year. Beyond the accolades, Gary's greatest pride came from the relationships he built with students and families within the community.

In 1979, Gary co-founded the Fools Five Road Race, an event that has since raised over three million dollars for cancer research. A passionate runner himself, Gary completed Grandma's Marathon in 1984 and was deeply honored to carry the Olympic torch in 1996 for the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Marlys; his sons Paul Besso of Brentwood, Tennessee; Gary Lee Mills (Jo) of Chicago, Illinois; and Mark Mills (Beth) of Mooresville, North Carolina. He is also survived by his brother Butch Mills of Dilworth, Minnesota, and sister Shanna Olness (John) of Carefree, Arizona; as well as his cherished granddaughters Sadie and Sawyer Mills of Chicago, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Marion Mills; his in-laws, Harley and Darlene Brophy; and his sister-in-law, Linda Cook and brother-in-law, Stephen Cook.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and Gary will be buried at Lewiston Public Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Perham and Perham Hospice for the care given during his illness.

Gary will be remembered for his dedication to family, his passion for coaching, his commitment to community, and his love of the Minnesota Vikings. His legacy lives on in the students he inspired, the people whose lives he touched, and the family he so deeply loved.