Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 3, 2025

David James Mills, 74, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on June 3, 2025, at the home where he raised his children, in the arms of his wife and sons, with beautiful music playing - a fitting finale for a man who spent his life sharing music with others. 

Born on August 30, 1950, in Albemarle, North Carolina, David was the son of Robert Spencer Mills and Myrna Veigh Tucker Mills. His early life was filled with the laughter of many cousins, his mother’s Sunday dinners, and summer days spent boating and water skiing at the family cabin on Lake Tillery. 

After his parents passed, David was raised by his Aunt Marie, who supported him until his graduation from Albemarle Senior High School in 1968. At Albemarle Senior High, David studied music under Tommy Hauss. After graduating from high school, David attended UNC-Chapel Hill (1968-1971) before earning his Bachelor of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of Miami in 1973. He was accepted at both Curtis Institute and Juilliard. His graduate studies took him from the Aspen Music Festival to Manhattan School of Music to the Institut de Hautes Etudes Musicales in Montreux, Switzerland. Further studies in The Hague and Munich led to performances with the Residentsie Orkest, Gewestilijk Orkest of Delft, and the Bayerische Staatsoper. Upon returning to Albemarle, David briefly assumed directorial duties at Albemarle Senior High after the passing of his mentor and former music instructor, Mr. Hauss. 

For 40 years, David wore many hats at the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra - Principal Tubist, Principal Music Librarian, brass coach, and acting Music Director of the Youth Orchestra. He conducted the Youth Wind Ensemble and served as soloist, narrator, and arranger for the orchestra's Pops and Educational concerts. He co-founded and narrated the CSO's award-winning "Mill Village: A Piedmont Rhapsody." His teaching positions included Pfeiffer University, UNCC, Winthrop University, and the North Carolina School of the Arts. He also lent his talents to Charlotte Ballet and NC Dance Theater as conductor, arranger, and music advisor. 

David met his wife Stacey through Charlotte's performing arts community. They married at Covenant Presbyterian Church in December 1984, celebrating their 40th anniversary this past December. They had two boys, John David (JD, aka “big”, aka “new and improved”) and Tucker (aka “new new and improved”). Before his passing, David reflected that raising his boys in their youth was the most gratifying period of his life. 

In his retirement, David maintained his connection to the Charlotte music community. He continued conducting the Charlotte Flute Choir and Charlotte Festive Brass, and even started a side business hiring local musicians for performers like Andrea Bocceli. 

His retirement routine included quality time with his recliner, trips to Charleston to visit his in-laws, and golf outings that required vocabulary not suitable for print. Above all, David continued to lend his time and energy to help family and friends with any project. He had a particular affinity for home improvement projects that were predicted to take a few hours, but in reality stretched into days or weeks. 

Becoming a grandfather to Autumn and Piper gave David something his own parents never experienced. While he treasured his role as Paw Paw, he found particular delight in watching Stacey become a grandmother, observing raucous games of tag, hide and seek, and riling up the family dog, all of which he affectionately named “Grammy time.” 

David will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, disarming personality, arsenal of limericks, and his "trike trots" with his dog Rocco. He had a talent for befriending nearly everyone he met - a trait he inherited from his father. He loved blaring "What is Hip" by Tower of Power from his car stereo, and often suggested that it should be adopted as the national anthem. Above all, he'll be remembered for giving generously of his time and talents to anyone who needed them. 

David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Myrna Mills Smith. He is survived by his wife, Stacey Webster Mills; sons John David and Tucker; daughters-in-law Audrey and Maggie; granddaughters Autumn and Piper; niece Angela Stewart and husband Rob; first cousins Teresa Butner, Anne Watkins and husband Jimmy, and Johnny Gaddy and wife Linda; and his in-laws, Bobbye and Ray Wilson. He is also survived by brother-in-law Charles Webster and wife Nena, sister-in-law Stephanie Webster and husband Alan Sosebee, brother-in-law Les Webster and wife Nancy Whelan, and brother-in-law Bill Beck. 

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Covenant Presbyterian Church. All are welcome. The service will also be live streamed at covenantpresby.org/live.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in support of the Keep Pounding fund at AtriumHealthFoundation.org/tribute. Memorial gifts may also be mailed to Atrium Health Foundation, 7800 Providence Road, Suite 208, Charlotte, NC 28226, and should include David’s name and the Keep Pounding fund designation.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.