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Gary F. Miller, 87

Gary Farrand Miller peacefully died on Dec. 27, 2019, after battling a long illness. He was born on Aug. 26, 1932, in Fresno, Calif., to Charles and Dorothy Miller. They lived in Avenal, in the Central Valley of California, until he had finished the first grade, at which time his father received a job promotion. They then moved to Whittier, Calif., where he and his sister, Jean, lived until they graduated high school.

While growing up, Gary enjoyed building model airplanes and tinkering in his shop. Since WWII reduced the workforce, Gary started working at the Whittier Book Store when he was only 10 years old. He continued working there until he left for college. While he was in junior high school, he also worked for a doctor sweeping his office on Saturdays and doing janitorial work after school. After high school, Gary attended Pomona College and earned a BA in physics and mathematics. He then attended Dartmouth College where he was awarded a teaching fellowship while he studied for an MS degree in physics. Upon graduating from Dartmouth, Gary worked for General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio, as a physicist, working on the development of phosphors for television tubes.

Gary’s love for building things and working outdoors caused him to change careers and start a construction company in Stockton, Calif. After earning a registered architect/building designer license, he pursued architectural design, usually building what he designed. His projects included churches, homes, public and commercial buildings, and his favorite, steel industrial structures. In the late 1970s, Gary tired of construction and purchased a small retail store in Arnold, Calif., featuring fabrics, yarn and needle crafts. Upon selling that business, he worked for a construction company as an estimator and project manager on major commercial and government projects. His final employment was in Oregon as a salesman and project manager for a manufactured home dealer. He “retired” in 1997 and, thereafter, involved himself in a number of volunteer jobs.

During Gary’s time in the construction industry, he learned to fly to facilitate his travel to job sites in the western United States. His favorite plane was a Cessna 210, which he not only flew to job sites, but also on vacations to Mexico with his family, which included his daughters, Debby and Nancy (“Snoopy”) and his son, Ed. Gary thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his kids while they were growing up, skiing at many of California’s ski resorts, water skiing on the Stockton Delta and spending time at their mountain cabin in Arnold. Gary regretted that he did not get to enjoy those years with his first son, John. He was given up through blind adoption when Gary was in high school and was lost to him for 62 years. They became special friends since first meeting.

1981 was an important year in Gary’s life, as that was the year he met his future wife, Edel (“Edie”). He always thought that God created her exactly and specially for him. Their marriage was everything he could have hoped for and more than most deserved. He felt fortunate to have become “Dad” to Edie’s children, Noreen and David, who became just like his own. During their marriage, Gary and Edie moved often and made many friends throughout the western United States. The last 16 years they have lived in Northern Idaho.

Another important year in Gary’s life was 1972, the year he was baptized. Looking back on his life, Gary saw the Hand of God guiding and protecting him. He spared Gary’s life in an airplane crash and several car wrecks. He led Gary to learn of His ways resulting in Gary finally accepting Him as his Lord in the waters of baptism. Thereafter, Gary served as interim pastor at the Arnold Community Church. But, it was not until his marriage to Edie that his relationship with God began to mature. He later served as the administrator of the Calvary Chapel Church in Pine Grove, Calif., and thereafter, served as the administrator of the Calvary Chapel Church in Bend, Ore. The fireside in their homes was often the scene of home Bible studies. Edie and Gary organized and led five tours to Israel. They also produced an event attended by more than 2,100 people featuring comedian/evangelist Ken Davis. In August of 2013, Gary became an active member of Summit NorthWest Ministries, Post Falls, Idaho. He taught an adult Sabbath School class.

All of his life Gary had one or more dogs. Later in life, his dogs became important members of his family. He hoped they will join him in his eternal home. He was especially grateful for Gigi, their rescue dog, who offered comfort and support to both Edie and him for the past eight months.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Miller, and his sister, Jean Elliott. He is survived by his daughter, Debby Jorgensen of Danville, Ky.; daughter Nancy Hurley and her husband, Jim, of Coeur d’Alene; son Ed Miller and his wife, Kim, of Danville, Ky.; son John Hall and his wife, Sara, of Laguna Beach, Calif.; step-daughter Noreen Aldrich and her husband, Alan, of Ventura, Calif., and step-son David Cairns and his wife, Denise, of Brookings, Ore.; along with 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to JESUS FOR ASIA, P.O. Box 2112, College Dale, TN 37315; please reference Bangkok Outreach/Joshua Bauder. A donation to the Humane Society would warm Gary’s heart.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Summit Northwest Ministries, 1486 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854. The service will be preceded by a 1:15 p.m. luncheon.

Gary wanted all those in attendance to be comfortable. So, NO SUITS! NO TIES!

To learn more of Gary Farrand Miller, please go to www.yatesfuneralhomes.com