Jim was born May 20, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Rear Adm. Ralph Erskine Mills and Elisabeth Stevens Mills, and went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ Dec. 4, 2011.
Jim’s remarkable life evolved from a distinguished career as a reporter for United Press International and Life magazine, to a writing career in which many of his fiction and nonfiction works became best sellers. After moving to Paris in the 1960s, he was called, at age 59, to lay the foundations for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a bilingual evangelical church in Vallauris, France. He later became the pastor of the church and dedicated his life to bringing the love of God to the south of France.
At Princeton, Jim majored in English, was a member of Tower Club, and roomed in 22 Patton with Larry Bershon and Jim Reid. Before entering Princeton, Jim attended Erskine College in South Carolina.
He is survived by his wife, Jill Suzanne Mills of Valbonne, France; his children, James IV and Suzanne Mills Davey and her husband, Joel; his brother-in-law; his nephews and nieces; and nine great-nieces and nephews. To them, the class sends sympathy.