Obituary of Donald Eugene Miller

Donald Eugene Miller Don was born on Sunday, March 30, 1941, to Orrin Kemmet Miller and Dorothy Mae (Halstead) Miller at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. He passed away at age 70 at his home in Olympia on February 13, 2012. Don grew up in rural Thurston County and graduated from Griffin Grade School. He attended Olympia High School through his junior year. He later earned his G.E.D. In January 1959, Don joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 years old. He served on the USS Taussig (DD-746) based in San Diego, California. His naval service took him to many ports: Japan, Guam, Okinawa, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to name a few. He served our country from 1959 until 1962, and then was in the reserves. In the early 1960s, Don lived and worked in Ketchikan, Alaska (driving a taxi cab). Don married Sharon Lee (White) Winters on December 20, 1968, in Olympia. They lived in Juneau, Alaska, for a short time in the late 1960s, where Don worked as a mechanic for a cab company. The couple later separated, and Sharon died in a car accident in Toppenish, Washington, in March 1972. On November 15, 1973, Don married Roberta Noreen (Larsen) Sasser in Olympia. Their son, Donald Eugene Miller, Jr., was born late the following year. They made their home in several locations in Thurston and Mason Counties. Don and Roberta were divorced in November 1982. Construction work was Don's primary employment, having spent 15 years with Rody and Sons in Tacoma. He lived in Tacoma for a time while working for Rody. Don retired in the 1990s and moved to the Delphi area of Olympia in August 1991. He enjoyed living in the country, collecting and restoring cars, boats, old tractors--you name it. He was an avid reader who was truly gifted in his knowledge of trivial facts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, playing pool, golf, and spending time with his family. In his younger days, he traveled throughout the United States. Don was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He shared his home with a menagerie of animals over the years. His dog, Boogie, and his cat, Kit Kat Bar, will miss him greatly. Don will be remembered fondly by his family and friends who will miss him very much. Don is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Donnie and Mindy (Lovelady) Miller, and their children Cooper and Chloe Miller (Don's two grandchildren); his long-time companion, Catherine Sorrels; his seven siblings, La Von (Robert) Dempsey, La Moyne Jack Miller, Orrin K. Miller, Jr., Phyllis (Max) Barnes, Charlotte (Michael) Moore, Allan Miller, and Curtis (Terri) Miller; his uncle and aunt, Everett and Marlene Halstead of Minnesota; his aunt, Vera Miller of Olympia; his stepchildren, Dexter, Kurt, Robert, and Tonya Sasser and their children; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Don was preceded in death by his parents--his father in 1988 and his mother in 2005. The funeral service for Donald E. Miller will be held at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 Southeast 240th Street, Kent, Washington at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Don will be buried with full military honors at Mt. Tahoma Cemetery. Following the service, a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Olympia VFW Hall at 2902 Martin Way East, Olympia, Washington at approximately 1:30 p.m. on February 21, 2012. Please leave memories of Don or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.