James Mack Hills

James Arthur Mack Hills, Ed.D., 88, died May 25, 2023, following a brief illness. He was the son of Arthur Charles and Helen Frances Mack Hills. Born on July 26, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa, Jim often described himself as a floating resident of the Midwest, having moved multiple times through his childhood, including attending seventh and eighth grade in Tusket, Nova Scotia where his Grandfather Mack was the school master.
After four years in the Air Force, Jim completed his bachelor's degree in 1962, followed by his master's degree in 1968 and his doctorate in 1972, all from the University of Kansas. Jim was a versatile and unique educator, beginning his career as a high school teacher, then principal at Valley Falls High School, then the Director of Education at Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, then 2 years as the Administrator of Trinity Episcopal Foster Home in Lawrence, then four years as the Superintendent of Andrew Drumm Institute in Independence, Missouri. Always wanting to live his life in Lawrence, Jim and his family returned to Lawrence and Jim completed his career as a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University.
He wrote multiple articles and participated as a presenter for many conferences during his career. He and his wife, Clenece, conducted hours and hours of workshops based on his book, FairPlay. His book Total Quality Management in the Classroom has been used as a textbook by many educators.
Jim always said that ‘nothing has a corner on being interesting’ and he was a true Renaissance Man with interests in physics, carpentry, dirt (he was a Master Gardener), music, and pets. His rescue rat terrier Digby died in her sleep on May 20th and losing her and Jim within three days has overwhelmed his precious Jack Russell, Tusket. For years he has worked on the design of a Lordosis bed that would prevent pressure ulcers, spawned by his years on the board of the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging and realizing that pressure ulcers might be prevented with the design of this bed.
Jim and Clenece were married on Christmas Day, 1962. He is survived by his wife, Clenece Roberts Hills, and his children Shane Alexander Hills (Elizabeth) Overland Park, Anne Hills Woods, and Eve Hills Cummins (Jim) of Lawrence. Jim had such pride and joy in his seven grandchildren: Wyatt James Woods, James Cole Cummins, Zachary Thomas Stoll Hills, Rachel Vance Hills, Bryson Mack Cummins, Payton Deming Cummins, Grace Elizabeth Hills. He is survived also by his sister, Joyce Hills Harris of Las Vegas and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Jim in death were his parents and his sister Edith Hills Kay, his brothers Paul Robert Lent Hills and Douglas Charles Hills.
Jim liked to celebrate his ‘birth season’ which began with Father's Day and ended with his birthday. Memorial services for James Arthur Hills, Ed.D. will be in early July 2023.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society or KU Endowment.