Obituary of John Roy Miller

John Roy Miller (known as “Roy”), 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on June 1, 2024 from complications of pancreatic cancer in Bullhead City, AZ. He was born in Manheim, PA on March 6, 1945, the youngest child of the late Graybill and Florence (Myer) Miller. 

Those who knew and loved Roy best say he was "larger than life!” And he was. Roy grew up in Manheim, PA, helping his family on the farm and working at the family business: Miller’s Bar-B-Q. As a student at Manheim Central High School, Roy was a star athlete in track and field, football, and wrestling. 

After high school, Roy attended East Stroudsburg State on athletic scholarships. While earning his BS in Health and Physical Education, Roy led the wrestling and football teams to winning season after winning season. He was the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion in his weight class in ‘64, ‘65, and ‘67.  Roy was inducted into East Stroudsburg State’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

After graduating from college in 1967, Roy was invited to try out for both the Olympic wrestling team and the Houston Oilers professional football team. Roy was tempted but ultimately declined those opportunities, opting instead to start his teaching and coaching career - first at Pennridge High School for a year and then at East Stroudsburg High School for over 9 years. 

In the mid 1970s, Roy began working for the National Park Service as a seasonal park ranger during his summers off from teaching, and immediately recognized that this was his calling. He left teaching behind and became a full time National Park Ranger in 1979. 

While attending a work-related training in Alabama in 1978, Roy met and fell in love with Jeanette Miller (nee Diffee). The couple were married in July 1980, and moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico where Roy had been hired as a National Park Ranger at Carlsbad Caverns. Their only child, Kristel Miller, was born in Carlsbad the following year. Roy held many roles in his life, but being a father was the one he enjoyed most. He was a devoted and involved father throughout Kristel’s childhood and their close bond continued for the rest of his life. 

Roy worked as a Park Ranger at various National Parks across the Southwest for more than 20 years, retiring from Lake Mead National Recreation Area in 2003. As Ranger Roy, every day was different - which he loved. Roy relished working outdoors and the excitement, variety, and importance of his work. He became a senior EMT, led the search and rescue scuba diving team, fought wildland fires, and volunteered to assist with countless other unique efforts - most notably spending two months in Alaska on bear patrol, protecting rescue workers cleaning wildlife after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, and spending weeks in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 providing security for the relief and rescue efforts.

In his spare time, Roy kept busy with countless hobbies and talents. He coached wrestling and track and field at Mohave High School and AYSO soccer in Bullhead City. Roy was an expert woodcarver (creating everything from furniture to clocks to tiki statues), a wonderful cook and BBQ master, the owner of a small jerky business, a motorcycle enthusiast, a spellbinding storyteller, and an avid reader. He loved to watch sports, particularly the Olympics, and Eagles and Steelers football games. One of his favorite memories was attending the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA with Jeanette and Kristel. 

After they both retired, Roy and Jeanette spent each summer traveling in their RV all over the United States and Canada. Roy treasured these trips - he loved to see old friends and make new ones, soak in the beautiful landscapes, and try every new food he could find. 

It’s hard to believe that this giant of a man is no longer with us, but we are comforted knowing he lived a truly incredible and full life. 

Roy is survived by his wife, Jeanette Miller (Arizona), his daughter, Kristel Miller (California), his beloved dog Bella, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Roy was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Kegerreis, and three brothers, Harlan, Arlington, and Eugene Miller. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 1601 Sunset Avenue, Lancaster, PA. If Roy has touched your life, you are invited and welcome to attend and celebrate him with us. All are welcome to a luncheon immediately following the service. If you cannot attend, the service will live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee7GFA8_-pM

Contributions may be made in Roy’s memory to your local PBS station. Roy subscribed to PBS for over 50 years, and was an avid fan of their wonderful programs.

Diamond & Sons in Bullhead City, AZ handled Roy’s cremation and a memorial webpage will be available on their website later in this month. A second Celebration of Life will be held in Arizona on October 12th.