Baker City, Oregon
C. Jack Miller, 86, a longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 19, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Coles Funeral Home. Pastor Susan Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. The service will conclude in the chapel. Friends and family are invited to the Rogers Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St., for a time of fellowship and sharing after the service. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Miller was born at Pilot Rock on July 30, 1916. He was raised at Clatskanie, where he graduated from high school. In July 1941, after two years at the University of Oregon, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was assigned to Fort Logan, Colo., and later to Luke Field, Ariz., where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. He subsequently attended Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater as a second lieutenant in the 866th Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery.
He fought as a platoon leader in the invasions of the Philippines and Okinawa, and took part in the occupation of the Japanese island of Ihea Shima as battery executive officer with the rank of captain. With the end of the war in 1945, he left the army and returned to civilian life.
In 1948, he married LaVera Knox at Portland. Soon afterward the couple moved to Baker City where they operated an independent insurance agency, the C. Jack Miller Insurance Agency for 28 years and raised two children.
During his career, Mr. Miller was active in both trade and civic organizations, serving at various times as director of the Oregon State Insurance Agents’ Association, president of the Baker Lions Club, and director of the Baker Chamber of Commerce. He received the Baker Junior First Citizen award from the Baker Jaycees. A lifelong Presbyterian, Mr. Miller was an elder in the church and past president of the Presbyterian Men’s Club.
He loved hunting and fishing and with his wife, LaVera, was an avid golfer. In retirement, he and his wife spent winters traveling, cruising, and following the sun in Southern California.
Survivors include his wife, LaVera M. Miller of Baker City; his son, Gregory J. Miller of Portland; his daughter, Patricia L. Boothby of Baker City; grandchildren, Shawn Boothby of Bakersfield, Calif., and Travis Boothby and Ryan Boothby, both of Baker City; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Louise.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 21, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
