In Memoriam : James Miller, SR

James J Miller, SR - age: 82
(January 03, 1933 to September 16, 2015 )
Resident of Exeter, California

Visitation Information:
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 10:00 am at Evans Miller Guinn Chapel. Burial will follow with Military Rites at the Exeter District Cemetery.

Obituary:
James Joseph Miller, Sr., age 82, died of complications from his long battle with dementia September 16th, 2015, in Visalia, Ca. He is survived by his daughter April Miller of Norman, OK, daughter Coral and husband Mark Jennings, of Exeter, CA; son Jim Miller, Jr, of Visalia, CA, son Jack Miller and wife Loren, of Exeter, CA; son John Miller and wife Dawny, of Visalia, CA, Niece Diana Foster of South Dakota. Grandchildren Shandi, Ryan, Samantha, Tricia, Mallory, Matthew, Baby Jimmy, Dakota, Randi, Matt, Leeann, Kendall and J.T. Great grandchildren Scarlett and Kaden. He is preceded in death by his wife Diane, brother Jack; mother (Agnes) and father (Lefty).
Jim was born Jan 3, 1933 in Detroit, MI, to parents Lefty and Agnes Miller. He graduated from West Covina High School in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a tank driver for the 2nd armored division’s infamous “Hell on Wheels.” He was very proud of his service to our country and has told the story many times about being told by his commander that he was “The best damn tank driver in the Army.” He was a member of the Teamsters Union and worked hard as a construction foreman until he retired in 1985.
Jim was a great family man and a loving father with a stern hand and a loving heart. He married the love of his life Diane Harrington in 1967 and the couple raised five children together and many others taken in over the years including Paul, Dion, and any friend that needed a place to stay. Mom and Dad would never turn a friend in need away. James was well-liked by everyone and spent many years running the Farmersville Little League Baseball program by providing a structured environment for the boys and girls of Farmersville to play sports. They learned by the example James set who volunteered his time to help the kids in the community. He enjoyed reading, watching NCIS and Jeopardy, and driving through Farmersville waving at people on his way to Boss Hogg’s for his usual breakfast of bacon (crispy), eggs over- medium, and hash browns(extra- crispy). His family and friends will always remember him as a “The man in the Black Hat” who became a staple in the community of Farmersville, CA.