John R. Miller

John R Miller, 60, passed away Friday, October 20, at Stormont Vail Hospital after a brief illness. John was born July 24, 1963 at Stormont Vail in Topeka to Robert and Joan Miller.

Prior to graduating from Washburn Rural High School in 1981, he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard. After working for various local businesses he joined the Topeka Fire Department, where he retired as Captain after serving for 26 plus years. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for 21 years, retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

While serving as Grand Master Counselor for DeMolay, he met GiGi Griffin, and they were married on September 10th, 1983. Earlier this year he and GiGi celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Costa Rica.

John is survived by GiGi of the home, his mother Joan Miller, brother Steve (Janet), sister Carolyn (Jaime), father-in-law Galen Griffin, sons Joshua and Jeremiah (Sarah), brother-in-law Russell, sister-in-law Sandy (Dennis), step-sister-in-law Terri (Ken) and step-brothers-in-law Tim and Troy, and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father Robert, sister Connie (Russell).

We cherish John's memory, in particular we remember him for:
• Always willing and able to help someone solve a problem, whether automotive, plumbing, carpentry, small engine repair.
• Loved to cook and was great at it, especially breakfasts, smoked meats.
• If he wasn't fixing something, he was usually found doing cross word puzzles or word games.
• John was a great husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. Family was of utmost importance, humans and fur-babies. He and GiGi had just adopted Brandi, a miniature Sheltie, weeks before John passed.
• John enjoyed canoeing, camping, zip-lining, motorcycles, shooting guns and shooting fireworks. He and GiGi had a CanAm they had bought and enjoyed riding together.
• Music, classic TV and old movies were other passions of John's. Mostly classic rock, with sprinkles of country western. Huge fan of Star Trek, Hogan's Heroes, MASH, and anything with John Wayne in it.
• He was probably most proud of his service on the Fire Department, they were his family too.

John was a leukemia survivor, had been cancer free for 8 years. We were lucky to have him for those 8 years and will all miss him.

Visitation will take place at Parker-Price Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm on Wednesday, October 25th. A Graveside Service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery at 2:30pm on Thursday, October 26th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 1120 Pennsylvania Avenue Kansas City, Missouri 64105 Please wear casual attire to the visitation and graveside service.