Douglas K Miller

Douglas K. Miller, age 71 passed away peacefully at home the 28th of February 2018.  He was born June 2, 1946 in Payson, Utah to William and Anita Miller.  He attended Springville schools and graduated from Springville High School.  After high school, he attended college for a year and served in the Utah National Guard.

Dad married his high school sweetheart Patricia (Pat) Stewart May 5, 1967.  The eldest child’s birthday proves it was not a shotgun wedding.  Mapleton became their permanent residence where dad with family and friends built two homes in which they lived.

Douglas (most called him Doug or “DK” for short, but his mother preferred his full name and defended that) worked on the railroad as a conductor, hiring with the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad and retiring with the Union Pacific.

Dad always had a project or two going.  His patience to methodically complete them with craftsmanship-like precision was a marvel.  Dad’s personality was that of calmness and with quiet wisdom.  His grandchildren old and young knew unequivocally of his love and concern.  Often dad would hold the infant children until both fell asleep.

Dad provided experiences in travel for his family.  Several cruises both north and south were taken.  Mom and dad took the whole family with grandkids on a week-long cruise.  Dads health impeded him and mom from going on the big family cruise that they funded.  Several trips to Canada and Alaska were enjoyed by the boys.  The danger of one trip was allayed by his wisdom to not burn some empty gas jugs.  His spirit of adventure lives on.  Dads wise management with money and home afforded his extraordinary comforts and blessings.  His influence extends well beyond immediate family.

Dad is a faithful disciple to his savior and his gospel.  Prior to serving his own mission with mom at the Washington, DC Temple he supported two sons as they served full-time missions to South America.

Douglas is survived by his wife Pat and his children: Brandon, Hollie (Mark) Brett (Adrianne), Haley (Guy), Brian (Barbara), Jack (Courtney, and Jenny (Cody).  He is also survived by siblings: Bill, Craig, Kirk, Richard, and Glen Miller; in-laws: Dave and Julie Stewart, Craig and JoAnn Stewart and Phillip and Carolyn Dixon.  He was preceded in death by his parents William and Anita Miller; his brother, Clark; and in-laws, Floyd and LaRae Stewart.

Beyond running marathons, building homes, 100 mile endurance horse races, dad was a magnificent example of what one does to be labeled a success.  John Steinbeck wrote in East of Eden: “It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world.”  Dad will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known him.  His passing has left a vacuum that will now be filled by the memories of his love and acts of love.  His memory floats in our hearts and minds and will never fade, but become stronger as we seek to live in a way to merit his presence once again.  We love you dad.

We’d like to recognize and give special thanks to Dr.’s John Frischknecht and Chun Hwang, who through their service and training extended dad’s life well beyond the statistics.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the Mapleton White Church at 31 West Maple Street in Mapleton.  There will be a visitation held at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville on Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Monday one hour prior to the services.  Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermorturies.com