John Cunningham Miller Jr

September 27, 1936 - August 25, 2017

John Cunningham Miller Jr., of Prescott Valley, Arizona, 80, passed away at home surrounded by family and love on Aug. 25, 2017. John lived life to its fullest, burdened in his final years with Alzheimer’s Disease. John was born Sept. 27, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John Sr. and Helen Margaret Early Miller. John was the Millers’ only child. The family moved several times in response to John Senior’s job with U.S. Rubber (Uniroyal), settling for an extended period in White Plains, New York. John played football at White Plains High School and also at United States Naval Academy, where he also played Lacrosse. He graduated with the class in 1958 as a member of the 9th Company. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Academy and was subsequently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Then he completed pilot training at Bartow (Florida), Reese (Texas), and Stead Air Force bases. John stayed on at Stead, near Reno, Nevada, to instruct in helicopters. That assignment lasted for four years, and was followed by a short tour with the first Army before returning to civilian life in 1963. He retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Captain. His civilian career began as an engineer with Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, working there for two years. In 1965 he began a long association with AT&T, moving to Reno, Nevada, to work for Bell Telephone of Nevada. John’s career with the Bell System included two cross-country transfers, first to Murray Hill, New Jersey, and then to San Francisco, California. Over time his responsibilities evolved from engineering to representing the company with various tax and regulatory agencies where his intelligence about people, low-key nature and sense of humor were assets. The organization of regional golf and tennis tournaments for his Bell System colleagues was an annual highlight. The announcements for these events, illustrated with whimsical cartoons drawn by John, became collectors items for his associates. He retired from AT&T in 1989. John had many passions and hobbies, among them golf (playing and watching), restoration of vintage automobiles, watercolor painting, wood carving, gardening and his parakeets. He loved music, and his taste ranged from Cal Tjader to Hank Williams. In later years he enjoyed word search puzzles with his wonderful caregivers. John’s family will always be grateful for the loving attention he received from the exceptional and devoted people from Home Instead and Home Care. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sally Miller; daughters, Laurie and Wendy Miller; sons, Casey Adamich and John Miller III; and grand daughter, Hillary Adamich. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered by those who loved him, especially best friend, Bill Shadduck in Olympia. Off you go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun... Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, or Disabled American Veterans. Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. Information provided by the survivors.