NORMAN — John L. Miller, 74, of Noble, passed away Monday, March 4, 2013, at the Norman Specialty Hospital. John was born Nov. 14, 1938, in Bend, Ore., the son of Virgil Earl and Birta Luthishia (France) Miller.
Memorial services with military honors for Mr. Miller will be 2 p.m. Friday in the Havenbrook Funeral Home chapel, 3401 Havenbrook St. in Norman.
John was raised and attended public schools in Portland, Ore. He enlisted into the United States Navy on April 18, 1956, in Portland. He served his country proudly for three-and-a-half years before being honorably discharged in 1960 in San Diego.
He was united in marriage to Linda Diane (Carver) West on March 20, 1974, in Erie, Kan. John was employed for a brief time as a welder with Chanute Manufacturing in Chanute, Kan. He also spent a brief time working as a long-distance truck driver.
Later in life, John began a career with Wal-Mart, working as a greeter in Parsons, Kan. He thoroughly loved this role, viewing it more as an opportunity to minister to people and bring a smile to their faces.
Failing health required John to leave his career at Wal-Mart and move to Noble to be close to his son, John West. He remained a resident here until his death.
John was a simple and quiet man who was very proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country in the United States Navy. Any time an individual would approach him and thank him for the service he gave to America, John would become teary-eyed. John also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Tonya Sue Miller.
Survivors include his stepfather, Virgil Wanless Sr. of Portland, Ore.; his wife, Linda Miller of Parsons, Kan.; three sons, John Miller, Johnny Lonnie West of Noble and Toby Allen Miller of Parsons, Kan.; three daughters, Sherry Miller, Teresa Lynn Barnett of Commerce, Ga., and Tina Marie Plummer of Parsons, Kan.; one brother, Virgil Wanless Jr., of Seattle; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements for John and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.
Norman Transcript, Thursday, March 7, 2013
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