Michael Jeff Miller passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He died in peace at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC, holding the hand of his adored and adoring wife Cheryl.
Mike was born in London, England, in 1944, the son of Olive Simpson Cookson Miller and Jeff Davis Miller. Jeff, a Georgia Gl from Cartersville, met Olive, a proper British girl, while serving in England during World War II. Though Mike moved to the US with his parents in 1946, he has retained strong ties to England and to family members there. Those who know him know that Mike’s life was shaped by a strong British mother, a quiet hardworking father, his family, The Citadel, and the U.S. Air Force. Mike gained many valuable traits from these sources, including a strong resolve, the value of dedication and diligence, and love of country and family.
Mike graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in 1967, where he was in Band Company, and he earned his master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech. He spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 as a Colonel and concluding his Air Force career as Base Civil Engineer at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA. Following his retirement, he managed the branch office of L.C. Gaskins Construction Company in Warner Robins, where he and Cheryl have lived since that time.
As fortune would have it, Mike met Cheryl- the love of his life- when they were children camping near each other with their families in Bryson City, NC. Cheryl was born and lived in Charleston, and the two reconnected there when Mike attended The Citadel. They married in December 1967, had two sons, and traveled the world together. Among their most memorable military assignments were Valdosta, GA, and Panama City, FL (where their sons were born); lzmir, Turkey; and Brindisi, Italy.
In his spare time, Mike enjoyed golf and woodworking. According to his sons, he could fix and repair anything. Mike loved traveling the world with Cheryl and enjoyed many trips with a special group of friends who call themselves the “Old Slow Cheap Colonels.”
In addition to his wife Cheryl Irwin Miller, Mike is survived by his two sons – Jeffrey Michael Miller (Christine) of Myrtle Beach, SC; and David Wade Miller (Mandy) of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, who have brought immeasurable joy to his life- Logan and Sophia of Myrtle Beach, and Madison and Sydney of Atlanta. All four of his siblings, all of Acworth, GA, also survive him- Leslie Weaver (Herschel), Elizabeth Jones (Mike), Bobbie Ferrell (Tommy), and Charlotte Chastain (Eddie). Mike is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in both the United States and England. Mike’s mother Olive, now of Acworth, GA, also survives him at age 96.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Jeff Davis Miller.
A memorial gathering celebrating the life of Mr. Miller will be held from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019, with a memorial service immediately following at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home located at 417 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins, GA. Interment will take place at a later date at Georgia National Cemetery in
Canton, GA.
The family gratefully acknowledges the doctors, nurses and staff at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC, for their concerned and compassionate care over the past 15 months.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Tisch Brain Tumor Center, or to the charitable organization of your choice.
McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.
Posted in: McCullough Funeral Home
Posted on: 2019-12-03
Link to original obituary: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/9295184/Michael-Jeff-Miller-Colonel-Retired