James Burdette Miller

Born November 15, 1934 in Whittier, California, Jim grew up in the heights above Whittier, surrounded by avocado orchards, fruit trees and bee hives. He spent many happy hours roaming the hills, accompanied by his beloved dog Tippy, and there he cultivated a love of farming that would shape his life and career.

He attended Whittier Elementary School and Whittier High School, where he wrote for the school newspaper, served as a yell leader and played varsity baseball as both a pitcher and second baseman. Graduating from high school in 1952, he spent the next two years at Mount San Antonio Junior College studying agriculture (and roping the occasional calf). In 1954 he moved north to Fresno to complete his education at Fresno State College (now CSU, Fresno) where he majored in animal husbandry and minored in journalism, working occasionally as a stringer for The Fresno Bee. On the recommendation of a professor, he auditioned for a newscaster position at KFRE Radio and Television, covering their farm news beat. He won the job and began his broadcast career even before he finished his degree. It was at KFRE that he met Judi Faux, and in 1958 they married and began a 67 year partnership that brought into the world three daughters — Jana, Julie and Jennifer.

During his broadcast career, he worked in both radio and television, hosting a farming call-in show as well as anchoring the hourly radio news updates. He eventually moved full-time to television, and when KFRE (later rebranded KFSN) shelved its farm report, Jim transitioned to hard news. In 1971, Jim left broadcasting and moved to his alma mater Fresno State to serve as their Director of Public Information, handling media relations for the entire university and working closely with university administration. After 26 years of service, he retired from Fresno State in 1997.

Jim was a devoted father, and delighted in spending time with his girls teaching them everything he found fun and fascinating — how to fly a kite, ride a bike, catch a fish, paint a room, bake a pie. He was happiest when he was with his family — cannonballing into the pool, jumping the waves at Newport Beach, riding the Matterhorn at Disneyland and playing his guitar for family sing-alongs around the campfire. He spent countless hours researching and completing a family tree, with branches extending all the way back to the start of the 19th century. He loved swing music, good food, live theatre, his Bulldogs and, like his father before him, his Dodgers. He was smitten by animals of all kinds, but especially dogs and cats, and the feeling was nearly always mutual.

Jim was predeceased by his parents Raymond Miller and Ione Miller, his brother Newell Miller and his sister Phyllis Bell, and his daughter Julie Miller Salmon. He leaves behind his wife Judi, daughters Jana Miller Fore and Jennifer Williamson, sons-in-law Rob Fore and Michael Salmon, and grandchildren Emma and Mary Salmon, Aaron, Ethan, and Jared Fore, and Hannah Williamson.

No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully encourages contributions to the Central California SPCA.

Jim had a smile that could light up a room; he was deeply loved and he will be missed every day.