James Henry Miller

Captain James “Cappy” Henry Miller, 79, on March 10, 2010, with his family at his side, departed from Austin, TX related to complications from pneumonia. Accompanied by Jesus at the helm, Jimmy, a retired River Pilot, began his heavenly voyage. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life for 55 years, Paula Delesdernier Miller; two daughters: Patricia Miller Lemons and grandson, James Oliver Lemons; Pamela Anne Miller and grandpup CoCo; a sister, Mary Elaine Miller Moore, as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Captain Elwood Louis Miller; his mother, Ernestine Kellerman Miller; brother Captain Louis Elwood Miller; sisters Joan Miller Williams and Betty Miller Switzer. Jimmy was born in New Orleans, LA on August 23, 1930 where he lived until relocating to Austin, TX in October 1997. He graduated from Warren Easton High School in 1949, where he played the trumpet in the band. In 1951 he served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge for his service in 1953. He worked as a tugboat deckhand for Freeport Sulphur Company before becoming a commissioned member of the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association on September 20, 1957. Jimmy enjoyed working in the maritime industry as a River Pilot on the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Pilottown, until he retired on March 31, 1995. He was a member of the Master, Mates and Pilots Association. Jimmy will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, River Pilot and friend. In later years, he loved to wear his baseball style cap, listen to music and eat ice cream! He will be missed and remain forever special in the hearts of those he touched!

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Staff at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center and Monsignor Bill Brooks of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church for their care, support and compassion. Final interment of Jimmy’s urn will be held in the future at Remembrance Gardens At Riverbend – The Memorial Pavilion, in Austin, TX. Any memorial contributions in celebration of Jimmy’s life may be made to maintain the natural beauty of Remembrance Gardens in the Texas Hill Country at www.remembrancegardens.com or by phone (512) 329-6007; or to the Crescent River Pilots’ Foundation at 8712 Highway 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, or by phone (504) 615-8775. Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Austin, TX handled the cremation arrangements. Family and friends are invited to share thoughts and memories of “Cappy” at his Memorial website at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.