Donald Richard Miller

Donald Richard Miller passed away at his home on Saturday, November 23, 2024. He was born May 20, 1923, to Bernard & Mary Cycelia Dunzar Miller in Orange County, California. 

At the age of 19, he lived in El Modena, California (East Orange County) and was drafted into the Army branch of service on January 5, 1943 to serve in World War II. He was inducted into the service as a welder, but it wasn’t long before he became the head cook. The main rations they gave during his war career was Spam and Jello. He was very inventive, and made many dishes out of spam. To this day though, you wouldn’t dare mention serving something with Spam in it. He has never touched it since his war days! He began his service at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California. From there his first order was Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was only there for 1 ½ days and was sent on to Camp Claybourne in Rapides Parish, Central Louisiana. He was there for about a month, then sent on to New Port News, Virginia to catch a ship to Africa. He was in Africa for 6 weeks. He was then sent to Palermo, Sicily, Italy and was there for 2 months. Then on to Naples, Italy and was stationed there for over a year. His next calling sent him to Rome, but was only there for about a week. Then on to Marce`, Southern France for about 6 weeks, then Dijon, France for about a month. From Dijon, on to Monheim, Germany for another month. October 1945, the war was over, and they sent him to the Belgium seaport. They were offered a tour in Switzerland. Don and his buddy, George, had a 50# sack of chickaree (substitute for coffee) and they sold it to get $70.00 each for this tour. Don said they were treated like royalty during their stay in Switzerland. After that, they were flown to New Jersey and back to LA, California and released from the Army.

Immediately after returning from war, he went to work for his brother, Lawrence, caring for his orchards. He married Lois Milbrat. He was a painting contractor for many years. He owned a rabbitry and raised rabbits until retirement. The rabbits were sold to the research centers in Southern California. He and Lois adopted 3 children, Lynn, Phillip, and Melanie.

Lois passed away in 1982. Later, he met Gloria, and they were married. They moved to Logandale, Nevada in 1990 and settled there. They were both very active in the St. John the Evangelist Church in Overton. After moving to Overton, the summers being so hot, he and Gloria did a lot of traveling. They spent a few summers traveling with the Good Sam group and one of those times was in Alaska. He traveled to the Chicago area a few times to visit Gloria’s relatives. Gloria passed away in 2008. His favorite summers though were spent in Challis, Idaho with his nephew and wife, John and Charlotte Miller. He spent over 30 summers in Challis. He loved the mild temperature and loved being in the garden with Charlotte picking crops and weeding the garden. He also loved helping John in his home shop tinkering with many projects. He became acquainted with a lot of the church family at St. Louise in Challis. Some of those folks even drove to his home in Logandale to help celebrate his 100th birthday celebration.

He is preceded in death by several of his siblings. Also, by his wife Lois, and his 2nd wife Gloria, his son, Lynn and his daughter, Melanie. Also, one grandson, Timmy Miller.  His family remaining to mourn his loss is brother Kenneth and Sister Christine Helen. His son, Phillip (Donna) Miller, His four granddaughters, Kristen, Laurette, and Kayla, April and one grandon, Robert.  Also six great grandchildren, RJ, Sayrn, Ethan, Aaron, Isiah, and Jacob. He also has many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, who were very close to him, along with many, many friends. He was loved by all.

Moapa Valley Mortuary will conduct funeral services to be held Saturday, November 30, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The viewing and Rosery will be at 10:00 AM and a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place in Oceanside California at Eternal Hills Cemetery on December 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, or an organization of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com. A Live Stream will be available at Facebook Group: Donald Richard Miller Memorial [Click here].