Michael “Mickey” Mills, 86, was born on June 25, 1939, and passed away June 1, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a rosary starting at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue Friday, June 5, 2026, from 8:00 am until 9:30 am at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 10:00 am at St. Landry Catholic Church. Bishop Michael Jarrell will officiate the Mass followed by interment at St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Johnathon Mills, Brett Mills, Beau Hollie, Dylan Hollie, William Mills, Seth Brinkman, and Matthew Mills.

Coach Mickey Mills was one of the most respected high school football coaches in Louisiana history and was closely associated with both the former Academy of the Immaculate Conception and Opelousas Catholic Schools.

Mills was a standout athlete at both AIC and Northwestern State University. He was the first student in school history to win Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Braves and was called up but instead, got on a train to come home to marry the love of his life, Mary “Jackie” Fontenot. They raised 7 wonderful kids in Bellevue, LA. He started his coaching career at AIC. In 1971, AIC merged with Holy Ghost Catholic School to form Opelousas Catholic. Mills was instrumental in the smooth transition of the two high schools. As Athletic Director in charge of discipline, he laid down the foundation of teamwork throughout the whole school. He demanded discipline from all students, not just his athletes. His true legacy will be the mentorship of hundreds of young catholic boys and what it meant to be a Student, Athlete and Catholic. It wasn't long before OC became a powerhouse in football and baseball. He won the district title in football almost every year and was the first in St. Landry Parish history to win the Crown Jewel State Championship in 1974 with a record of 13-0-1. In baseball, while leading the AIC Wildcats, he captured back-to-back State Championships in 1969 and 1970. He was inducted into the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame in 2000.

The story of Coach Mickey Mills is really the story of Opelousas Catholic itself. As an AIC graduate, standout athlete and coach, State Champion and community leader, he helped build the foundation of the Vikings program and remains one of the most influential figures in Opelousas sports history. Championships eventually become listed in the record books, but the values he taught, Discipline, Hard Work, Faith, Teamwork and Accountability, have lived on through the players he coached. Many of those former players became successful fathers, business owners, educators, coaches and community leaders. They still talk about “Coach Mills” decades after leaving the field, which is the true mark of a great coach.

In recognition of his contributions, OC dedicated the Mickey Mills Athletic Complex in his honor.

He is survived by his children, Mike Mills, Thea Mills Hollie, Bill Mills and wife Andrea, Timmy Mills, Yvette Mills Meche and husband Glenn Meche, and Melanie Mills Bellard and husband Ted Bellard, son-in-law, Keith Marks, grandchildren, Johnathon Mills (Haleigh), Amanda Mills Rogers (Phillip), Brett Mills, Beau Hollie, Micki Hollie Carter (Dalton), Dylan Hollie, William Mills (Jaida), Jacqueline Mills Sturm (Zach), Jessica Marks (Collin), Matthew Mills (Hillary), Seth Brinkman, Abigail Brinkman Frey (Ervin), Jade Bellard Hundley (Caleb) and great grandchildren, Livie and Lottie Mills, Griffin, Stella and Reese Rogers, Reed and Avery Hollie, Bailee Leger, Levi Carter, Logan William Sturm, Rose Weaver, Lelia Mills, Adeline Grace Frey, Emelia Hundley. Mickey is also survived by his dear friend, Mrs. Joan Guillory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theogene A. Mills and Lena Daigle Mills, his wife, Jackie Mills and his daughter, Beth Mills Marks.

Many thanks to all for the love, prayers, and support. We would like to thank Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Dr. Bryan J. Bienvenu and his staff for the excellent care provided. We would also like to thank HOPE Healthcare and Hospice, Paula Martinez Mills, and Angela Levine for their compassion, kindness and comfort provided to our father.

Family and friends are invited to visit our website at www.lafondardoin.com.

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.