A Celebration of Life for Jeffrey D. ‘Pooh’ Miller, 59, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Matt Sturtevant officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Clinton Cemetery.
Jeff died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Jan. 7, 1953, in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of Eldon P. and Ruth A. Murphy Miller. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1971, and from Kansas University in 1975. While attending KU, he worked for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.
Jeff worked for ICL in North Lawrence for more than 35 years. He enjoyed all sports, but had a fond passion for playing golf, the St. Louis Cardinals, and KU Basketball. He often played Taps for Memorial Day services and at funeral services for veterans.
He married Janice K. Wingert on July 12, 1975, in Lawrence, She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, Kyle Miller and fiancé Shelbie Harrell, Lawrence; a daughter, Emily Pritchard and husband Josh, Eudora; his father, Eldon Miller, Lawrence; his mother and stepfather, Wes and Ruth Buller, Lawrence; a sister, Jennifer Harris and husband Terry, Topeka; and one grandson, Caden Pritchard.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:30 Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jeff’s name to LMH Oncology, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Janice Kyle and Emily
I am so sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. You will be in my prayers.
Francisca Sierra “Fran”
To all the Miller Family thoughts and prayers from California. Will certainly miss my KU Basketball, Lawrence Lion Football and St. Louis Cardinal baseball updates from Jeff. Love to all–Gary
Janice, kyle, Emily, and familys. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jeffs iliness has been thru our family many times, and it sucks. If you need to talk our a shoulder to cry on, we are just 2 miles away, call anytime, for anything you folks need.
Janice and Family – My thoughts go out to you as you struggle with the pain and uncertainty of the void created by your loss. Jeff was a dear friend of my brothers and I remember him fondly. May your path of suffering be short, and my God’s grace heal your emptiness. God Bless!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. Jeff was a very special person with such a kind spirit. He was so giving of his time in so many ways. He was so talented on his horn. May God wrap his arms around you and comfort you.
We are so sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing. Our prayers are with you all. Adrian and Debbie
Janice, Kyle and Emily, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff will be greatly missed!
Love, Dale, Kathy, Paul, Patrick and Ross Johnson
So sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing. He was a great friend and golfing partner. He was part of the fabric that made Alvamar great. I’ll miss that vise-like handshake of his.
Kyle and family — So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing — what a great guy he was and one of the first people I met when I came to Lawrence in 1975 — Jeff loved his sports, only second to his family, reguardless if he was playing, coaching or watching. Through all the years I have known Jeff — I will always remember him as a kind and loving person with always a smile and a greeting — even if he had to get your attention from across a playing field… God Bless
I’m so sad to hear of Jeff’s passing. I only knew him several years, but what a genuine guy. He was always a pleasure to talk to and interact with. My condolences go to his family and friends. He will truly be missed.
-Justin Koerner (contractor for ICL)
We are so sorry for your loss and send our love and prayers to you all.
I am very sadden to hear of Jeff’s death. Thank you Kyle for calling me. Even though I haven’t seen Jeff in many years I considered him one of the few dear friends that I have had in my life. Reading the other condolences that have been sent, it sounds like Jeff stayed the kind, caring and loving person that I knew years ago. I know that he loved his family and it was always refreshing to visit his and Janice’s home because of the love and warmth he showed to his family. Jeff you are already missed by all but you won’t be forgotten. Janice, Kyle & Emily my prayers are with you.
I was greatly saddened when I heard of Jeff’s passing. A truly great person. I loved playing golf with him and I loved just drinking a beer with him. He was our Captain and always will be in memory. Jeff, I will miss you and I know that you will be rooting for those Tigers (I mean Jayhawks) up in heaven. God bless you and your family.
Mikey Mizzou
JD, was my partner in crime so to speak with the Jayhawk Golf Club for a decade. He was always great to work with and we had a lot of fun. His positive outlook and attitude were awesome. The Jayhawks,Cardinals and golf commnity lost a great one. He will truly be missed…
G.A.
My heart goes out to all of you. It was such an honor to know Jeff and to witness his incredible strength of spirit. He touched so many lives by his endless optimism in the face of tremendous challenge. God bless you all – please know you are in my prayers and thoughts. Love, Sharon
I’ve never known a kinder person. He truly lead by example.
The Miller Family-
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. I have many memories of him especially at volleyball tournaments and the times I stayed with Emily. You could always see the love and joy he had for his life and family in his smile. May you find peace in his smile.
Valerie Steinbock Edelman
Janice, Kyle, and Emily-Just want to let you know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Susan Marshall
Dylan and Evan Pohl
Kyle, we are sorry to hear about your loss. Hang in there, and call us anytime if you need some one to talk to.
Thoughts and prayers with The Miller Family. Jeff had such an amazing and infectious personality. Always loved playing with him at Alvy..and road trips during the Kansas Cup. Upon moving to Colorado, he was the one that told me about Juicy Lucy’s in Glenwood Springs..a great restaurant and will think of him even more when we dine there now.
I was very saddened to hear the news of Jeff’s passing. Having lived here in Florida for the past few years, I have missed his smile and laughter. He always had a way to make me smile even when I didn’t feel like it.
It is a comfort to know he no longer has any pain and is most likely playing a round in Heaven on some very incredible courses.
Jeff, we will hook up again someday.
Take care my friend.
Been out of Lawrence for a few years, so I was shocked and saddened to hear this news.
I always figured I’d go back to Lawrence soon, play a little Thursday night golf with the boys, go eat all the Henry T’s appetizers I could fit in my mouth, and listen as each of told the story of the days golf we’d just played.
You will be missed.
Smalls
My deepest sympathies to the family. All who had any contact with Jeff made him their friend. My best memory was having him as my fourball partner for many years in the Kansas Cup. It didn’t matter if we won, because we had fun – I’m sure he’s a winner up there!
Jeff was a great teammate 40 some years ago at Lawrence High and American Legion baseball . More importantly he was a dear and supporting friend for the next 40 years. So positive and upbeat…There was not a LHS football season that Jeff didn’t come find me and give me a “pep talk” during a tough stretch. Such a caring and giving person. Lawrence lost a very special person. Janice ,Kyle and Emily your husband and father was my friend. Thinking of you…Dirk Wedd
Janice, Emily & Kyle,
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Enjoy your memories and cherish them always. Take care of yourselves and be strong for one another.
It was my pleasure to work side by side with Jeff. The smile, laughter, stories, road trips, 18, 27 or 36 holes and of course “jiffy lubes’ will be my forever memories of my friend. Love ya JM.
Miller Family,
Jeff and your family will continue in my thoughts and prayers. Jeff offered a sincere interest in the well-being of others and his passion for the Lawrence community will not soon be forgotten. I will always appreciate his tireless effort to ensure others around him enjoyed rewarding and successful experiences. He delivered in many ways. My heart goes out to his family.
God bless.
Every time I saw Jeff he had a big smile on his face. He was so much fun to play golf with and I know how much he enjoyed being a part of Alvamar and the Jayhawk Golf Club. It has been a few years since I last saw him, but when I think of him it will always be Jeff getting us organized to either play golf or to Captain the KS CUP team. He will be truly missed and I know there are 18 holes of golf where he is now!!
I am so saddened to hear of Jeff’s passing. I am sure it must be only a tiny fraction of your own sadness. His kindness touched so many, and I consider myself fortunate to have known him. Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain…and I know that Jeff is wearing his smiling countenance in an immeasurably better place. May God’s grace sustain you. -Mike
Janice, Kyle & Emily – please know all of you are being held close in thought & prayer. Ann & Dan