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McMills, Edward W.

Edward W. McMills. From May 6, 1982, to January 12, 1995, Ed wrote 400 weekly columns for the Sierra Sun newspaper called the "Truckee Beat". The Nevada State Press Association, Inc. awarded him 2nd place in 1991, for the "Best Rural Freelance Correspondent" 3rd place in 1992 and then 1st place in 1995.
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Edward W. McMills passed away peacefully on January 3, 2007, from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, California. Ed was born May 17, 1930, in San Francisco, CA. He graduated from Balboa High School and San Francisco City College.

In 1953, Ed joined the San Francisco Police Department and, in 1965, he became a motorcycle officer, was privileged to escort many Presidents, international dignitaries and other people of importance. He worked the traffic detail for many movies, and even had a brief cameo in the movie “Killer Elite”. During Ed’s 28-year career as a police officer, he earned and received three Silver Medals of Valor and numerous Captain’s Commendations.



Ed was first captivated by the Truckee-Donner area while skiing at Soda Springs in 1949. He bought his first property in Truckee in 1959, where he built his first Truckee home with the help of his close friends and police buddies. He retired there in 1981, until his dream home was built at Prosser Lakeview Estates. Ed enjoyed keeping busy by serving in numerous service and community organizations and became known as “ubiquitous”! He was everywhere — the Follies, Destruction Derby, Special Olympics, Old-timer’s picnics, Air Show, Post Office and can’t forget the Coffee And…!



Since 1969, Ed was a charter member of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society. He worked on the organization of the walking tour of downtown Truckee, serving many hours as docent of the old Jail, researching, interviewing and documenting the Joerger family, and aiding in numerous other projects such as marking and preserving the Donner Party Trail.

From May 6, 1982, to January 12, 1995, Ed wrote 400 weekly columns for the Sierra Sun newspaper called the “Truckee Beat”. The Nevada State Press Association, Inc. awarded him 2nd place in 1991, for the “Best Rural Freelance Correspondent” 3rd place in 1992 and then 1st place in 1995.

Ed joined the Lion’s in 1981 and became the Sight Chairman. He was instrumental in obtaining the first national major sponsor, giving the Sled Dog Races, and Truckee, international press coverage. He was named Truckee Lion of the Year 1984, as well as Truckee Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year 1988. In addition to these many other pursuits, Ed was a 50 year Mason, 32nd Degree Mason, Master of the Truckee Masonic Lodge, Shriner and member of the Scottish Rite. When Ed moved to Cameron Park, in 1995, the Town of Truckee presented him with a Certificate of Commendation for “the dedication and accomplishments of the many thousands of hours of loyal community service”. He and his wife, Joann, were invited back to Truckee in 1996 to be the Grand Marshals for the 4th of July parade. At Donner Lake, he loved to sail, fish and horseback ride, as well as ski at all of the resorts with his family.

Ed is survived by his loving family: wife, Joann; daughters Lori Johnson (Kurt) and Lynn Fitzpatrick (Brian) and their daughters Anna and Colleen Fitzpatrick; Niece, Darleen Hartley (John Oram); and Nephew, Andrew McMills.

Donations may be made to the non-profit, Michael J. Fox Foundation,

HYPERLINK http://www.michaeljfox.org.; http://www.michaeljfox.org.; 800 708-7644


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