John Thomas Mills

Greenville Business leader and philanthropist Tom Mills died peacefully on June 18, 2021. Tom had a tremendously positive impact on all lucky to have known him over his 83 years. He and his wife Sandy enjoyed a wonderful 58 year marriage. They were childhood sweethearts and their love continued until her death in 2019.

Tom is survived by his son, John T. (Buddy) Mills Jr. (Leslie); daughter Karen (Kem) Swenson (Mike); grandchildren Emily Swenson, Blakley Swenson, Grayson Mills, Thomas Mills and John Houston Mills

Tom was raised in Mooresville, NC where he and his brother Joe, were the children of Ann and Joe Mills who owned “The Mills Bootery”. Tom worked many afternoons at the shoe store when not competing in baseball, track, or football.

In 1956 Tom graduated from Mooresville HS and joined the defending national championship Wake Forest University baseball team where he lettered as a 3rd baseman. As a member of the Class of 1960, he then joined the Army Corps of Engineers where he coached the Army baseball team.

Upon completion of his military service, Tom joined Ross Builders. In 1966 Tom helped co-found Builders Marts of America. BMA flourished and became one of the largest and most successful companies in the state of SC’s economic history. Tom a graduate of The Harvard Business School infused the BMA culture with and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. He introduced modern management techniques which helped catapult the company to over a billion dollars in sales, an eye-popping number in the 1980s. More importantly Tom and the executives at BMA mentored dozens of young people who over the years have gone on to create many of the businesses and institutions which have transformed Greenville into the city it is today. In the early 90’s Tom’s entrepreneurial drive led him to start Sunbelt Companies a chain of building material retailers. Sunbelt Companies went public in 1994.

Over the past five decades Tom and wife Sandy have been generous with their time and treasure. Tom has served as President of The Greenville Country Museum of Art and is an avid giver to institutions throughout the community.

Tom at his core viewed the world as an athlete. Always the epitome of the team player and good sportsmen no matter the activity. Whether it be a local ping pong match, the BMA softball team, his Tennis club, the Sr. Olympic sprinting competition, a father-son golf tournament or life itself Tom Mills always “brought it.” Tom has been an avid supporter of Wake Forest University especially the baseball team. Paying it forward Tom over the years has funded a baseball scholarship at Wake Forest, and always has been the Demon Deacons’ most ardent and vocal fan. Go Deacs!

A service will be held in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601 on June 22, 2021, at 2:00. In addition, there will be a Celebration of Life Event at The Poinsett Club at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Little White House – thelittlewhitehouse.org.

A special thanks to Laurice “Reece” Stevenson who has become a part of our family. Also, thank you to the lovely ladies who took care of him during his toughest times – Melissa, Rebecca, Sheba, Evelyn, and Tammy.

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