Ronald Gary Miller

Ronald Gary Miller passed away after battling liver cancer for the last few months. Born March 27, 1938, in Coquille, Oregon, to Jack and Melba (Varney) Miller, he was the second of five children.

Ron started school in Vanport, Oregon, in 1944 and a year later moved to Siletz, Oregon. By third grade he was attending school in Toledo, Oregon, graduating in 1956. Ron earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University. He was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college.

Soon after graduating in 1960, Ron began teaching in Toledo, and then went to teach at Cherry Park Grade School in Portland, Oregon. Ron and his wife, Jane, and children moved to Astoria in 1964, where he taught physical education for several years before making what would be his final career move to begin teaching at Knappa High School in 1967. He loved teaching, coaching (especially football), counseling and watching his grandkids in their activities.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jane (Harman) Miller, whom he married in 1959; sister, Joyce Miller, of Salem, Oregon; five children, Ron (Julie) Miller, of Plummer, Idaho, Laura (Dan) Waddingham, of Seattle, Washington, Carrie (Ken) Aaro, of Portland, Oregon, and Tim (Heather) Miller and Jeff (Akiko) Miller, of Knappa, Oregon; daughter-in-law, Christina Miller, of Tacoma, Washington; 27 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by a son, Bruce (2016); two brothers, Jackie (1980) and Paul (1999); and a sister, Janet Whitehurst (1995).

He was a member of Astoria Christian Church and Lower Columbia Gideons, holding various offices. He served as an elder in his church until age and illness caused him to become an elder emeritus.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ron’s memory to: The Ron Miller Scholarship Fund at Knappa High School or Knappa Baseball (Knappa High School, Attn: Business Office, 41535 Old Highway 30, Astoria, OR., 97103); or the Lower Columbia Gideons (c/o Ed Hortsch, Treasurer, 91817 Highway 202, No. 27, Astoria, OR., 97103)

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, Oregon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at Knappa High School, 41535 Old Highway 30, Knappa, Oregon.

Private graveside services will follow at Knappa Prairie Cemetery.