Senor Miller was a fantastic educator and true friend.  He was one of my favorite teachers at Snider.  I remember occasionally visiting his house and helping him out with his computer when it would give him troubles.  Senor was a dedicated teacher with a great care for his students. He was always willing to listen to students and help in any way he could.  I was surprised to find out that Senor was popular with several of my friends who didn't even attend Snider, almost like a small town celebrity in a way. I'm glad to have taken his Spanish classes and gotten to know Senor.  I did not keep up with my Spanish admittedly, but Senor did make a significant impact in mine and many of my friends lives.  Unfortunately, I moved away and life got in the way and I was never able to get back to visit Senor even though I thought about him occasionally over the years.  I was saddened to hear from my sister who had a coworker that knew Senor Miller that he had passed away.  I regret not making time to go back and visit him later in life to let him know how great of a guy he was.  Rest in peace Senor Miller. You will be greatly missed by many, many students!

So sorry to hear of Kerry’s passing.  We had a great time growing up at Big Lake in the Summers.  His Mother and Father were always so kind to me.  Thanks to technology we were able to text and catch up.  I will miss his messages.

So many Hola's  and I thought there would be more. My heart goes out to family and friends.  I know he has meant so much to so many over the years.  I hope that happy memories give everyone comfort during this challenging time. He has inspired many along his path and taught so many lessons.  May everyone look back on your experiences with Kerry as  valuable and inspirational.  He will always be cherished.  Blessings

I was genuinely saddened to learn of Señor Miller’s passing. He was a genuinely kind, considerate person who truly cared for his students, through their whole lives, not just the few years when they passed through his life. He was my favorite teacher in high school and I have more fond memories of his classes than any other. I was with Andrew Shupe and Matt Kelker for those legendary Trivial Pursuit matches and can attest to how memorable they were, and how hard it was for us Gen X teenagers to get that Entertainment pie piece! Recently I’d felt more connected to Señor’s life through his sort of “daily diary” Facebook posts and realize how much I’ll miss his regular posts about his enjoyment of classical music, the latest book he’s read, or his meetups with former students and Snider teachers. We’ll miss you, Señor!

I’m lost for words. Genuinely taken aback. What a loss for the universe to have to let this one go.
I’ve never had a more immersive learning experience than I had in Kerry’s classroom. That man made me fall in love with not only the Spanish language, but the different cultures as well. His teachings will resonate with me for the rest of my life. 
I’ll have some Joan Baez playing while I light a candle for you, old friend. Rest easy.

This is such sad news.  Señor Miller was one of my favorite teachers not just at Snider, but across all my years of school.  His Spanish class was always one of the bright spots of my day during my freshman and sophomore years.  He brought humor, energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of his subject like few other faculty in that building, as he patiently labored to explain the difference between "ser" and "estar" to a bunch of ill-behaved teenagers.

I was present at some of those Trivial Pursuit nights described by Matt Kelker elsewhere on this page, and in my mind I will always see Señor as he was in those days, always the first to earn the pink pie piece for the "arts and entertainment" category because of his superior knowledge of 1970s pop culture that the rest of us were too young to remember.  

As we used to sing at the top of our lungs at Christmastime and whenever else we could convince him to play the old tape: "ENTREN SANTOS PEREGRINOS!  PEREGRINOS...!"

I’m devastated. Such sadness in my heart. I just talked to him on Saturday. He had been having trouble with his shoulder at night when he slept. I told him to seek medical attention but I don’t know if he did.  He was my 7th grade spelling and English teacher.  I helped him move into his first house when I was 13.  We were supposed to have lunch together but now that’s never going to happen.  I’m deeply saddened and I’m going to miss him terribly.  RIP you wonderful and loving soul.

Señor, as I called him out of deep respect, touched so many parts of my life. From that first day of 7th grade Spanish class at Lane Jr High School in the 1970s I knew he had a gift. He didn't just teach students, he got to know his students,  inside and outside of the classroom.  I would ride my bike to his house and we would ride bikes all over, sometimes picking up other students sometimes not. It was always an adventure.  He showed his students a respect not often seen and in that way earned the respect of them as well. Señor, you will never be forgotten.  Your memories will 
live on in the hearts of all your students.

Señor Miller was more than an excellent and memorable educator, but one of those very rare high school teachers who connected with, and was trusted by students, although he didn't have children of his own. It was so pleasing to see, decades later, that he had created his own kind of family.
His lessons were engaging, stringent, and informative, so much so that after 30 years, I was able to revisit Spanish lessons, with good pronunciation, fricatives, rolling "rr"s, mitigation of popping "Ps" ... still remarkably intact. The conjugation and vocabulary needed some work, but returned quickly. This served me very well on a trip to Spain, where I chose to speak exclusively in Spanish. Señor was excited to hear about my adventures and new found love of the culture, people, and place.
In addition to being a working artist, I've also been an adjunct college professor, and (although not specifically Spanish) I often found myself wondering how Señor might approach a lesson, or handle a certain situation, both in curriculum and interpersonal relationships with students and colleagues. 
His was a positive influence which stuck with me. I hadn't actually seen him in person since high school, but was grateful to rekindle a friendship on Facebook in recent years, as he did with so many former students from his decades of teaching. 
His passing seems so sudden and unexpected. Maybe one just expects their mentors to always be there. And in a way he will.
¡Muchas gracias mi profesor!

As so many others have said, Senor Miller shaped my life by helping me navigate Lane Middle School.  I was a smart, nerdy teen trying to find my people and my place in life.  Senor Miller kept his room open after school and a group of us gathered there every day.   We did homework, practiced Spanish, listened to music and just talked.  It was the best part of my day.  I finally figured out that it was OK to be smart and it was up to me to do something with my abilities.  I attribute that fledgling confidence to the support and encouragement of Senor Miller.  I wish I had thanked him more.

It feels impossible that Señor Miller has left this earthly plane. Not only was he an INCREDIBLE educator, but he was one of the best human beings I've ever known. He was always helping others and genuinely wanted the best for all of us. We need more kind-hearted, good people like him on this planet. I will miss your daily detailed posts of what's happening with you, especially the 'torture bike' escapades. We love you and will miss you so much, Señor Miller.

It feels impossible that Senor Miller has left this earthly plane. Not only was he an INCREDIBLE educator, but he was one of the best human beings I've ever known. He was always helping others and genuinely wanted the best for all of us. We need more kindhearted, good people like him on this planet. I will miss your daily detailed posts of what's happening with you, especially the 'torture bike' escapades. We love you and will miss you so much.

We all grieve in our own ways.  Kerry Miller was more than an extended family member to many with whom he had contact.  His nature was to effect positive and constructive change in people and the situations which influence them.  He loved to use his innate talents to benefit and improve the world.  His absence will inspire many to emulate his selfless giving.  In that way, his benevolent, giving spirit will live on.

The final words of Gustav Mahler's second symphony, which spoke to Kerry on the deepest level, are delivered by full chorus supported by augmented orchestra:

Thou shalt rise again, verily, rise again.
Thou, my heart, in an instant, 
and what thou hast struggled for will carry thee to God.

Senor Miller was a friend and stalwart supporter of mine since I was his student in 1991.  He was always there when you needed him, even when you didn't realize it yourself.  He had an innate and genuine love of his students which showed through his actions and dedication to teaching.  He  truly loved being around teenagers and walking with them through that oftentimes uncomfortable part of their formative years.  Over the years, we've all transitioned from students to protégés, mentees and adoptees, and he had lots of them.  

After 35 years of friendship, lots of memories are flooding back.  This one is a highlight from my time at Snider.  A group of my friends would meet at Senor's house to play an old version of Trivial Pursuit.  Five of us on one side, he alone on the other.  He always won.  It took two years, but we finally got the whole pie with the correct answer to "Who was Luke Skywalker's Father."  The celebration was bedlam and he loved every minute of it.

Kerry was my favorite teacher a good friend he will be missed by many I’m glad to have had him in my life

An educator with not only passion, but compassion
A mentor to many
A helpful hand
a listening ear
generous
patient
An intellectual
A person who gave more to the world than he took - 
This - and so much more that others have formulated better in their condolences - was Kerry Miller.

Taught with Kerry from 1992 to 2000 at Snider High School. He was a kind man. Rest In Peace my friend! 

Lisa Roberts

Señor Miller didn’t just teach a language, he helped us to understand the cultures of the countries that spoke Spanish. He would spend one day each semester cooking Latin American and Spanish dishes for us all.  He had a flair for engaging all of us, using idioms. He  would start in Spanish, “A bird in the hand… .” And someone would finish in Spanish.  I came to really love his Facebook posts about his quotidian ventures: a trip to the supermarket, the doctors office, a meal shared with retired faculty, his sleeplessness and people’s help to assess and treat, and the “torture bike.” As in life, he made Facebook his own and shared his views and his readings with us all. I will miss him. ❤️

A true and trusted friend, he taught our oldest son many years ago. He took so many young people under his wing to help guide them thru the young stages of life. May you RIP dear sir

Señor Miller was my Spanish teacher for a few years and was the kindest person I have ever met.  He came to my graduation party (the only teacher who did) and hung out with me and my family that day even after no longer being his student. There are no words that can describe what a loss this world has with him no longer being in it! My condolences to his friends and family! He was a great man!

I'm at a loss, he affected my life so deeply and I never really got to tell him how. 
I met him at Snider, when I was going through some of the worst years of my life, but he always cared about me enough check in. He could tell I was being abused without me saying anything. But he never made it harder for me. He just let me come to him when I needed a safe adult. 
He never wanted me to enlist and damnit I wish I'd have listened.  I just wish I would've taken more of his advice and not been so stubborn for so long. He got to see that I changed. For that I'm happy. Just wish I had the courage to tell him he helped cause the change.

I was a student of “Señor” Miller his first year of teaching at Lane Junior High. Both of my sons were his students years later at Snider High School.

Señor was so much more than just a teacher. He was a friend, advisor, and confidant to all who knew him, generous and caring without limits. He left this world a better place for his presence, and I am grateful to him.

Vaya con Díos, mí estimado amigo.

Thank you Mr. Miller for being such a great teacher.  You made learning enjoyable. Also thank you for the years you contributed to the education of countless children. Rest In Peace.

I met Kerry Miller through our mutual friend Kris Kallmeyer in the early 1980s. A dedicated educator, "Miller" (as he was often informally but lovingly referred to in our social circle) was especially caring to young adults, especially those of us who were struggling during our formative years. I probably would not have survived high school without him in my corner. 

Miller's appreciation of classical music rubbed off me, and I helped him when volunteering at WBNI in the mid 1980s on their "Listeners' Choice" program on Sunday mornings. It was a fun and enriching experience. 

Despite the changes in direction in life, we maintained cordial contact over the years. His friendship and support,  especially during my teens and twenties, was invaluable. He was a friend indeed.

Sometime around 1980, I walked into Kerry Miller’s classroom at Lane Middle School and found a lifelong friend, confidant, and advocate. I always called him “Miller,” and he was unlike any teacher I’d ever met. He stayed after school for kids like me—confused, awkward, and undeniably nerdy at a time when that was anything but cool.

Miller was part educator, part therapist. He had a gift for asking just the right questions, and through countless conversations, he helped shape the way I see the world. He introduced me to the music of Beethoven and Mahler while most of my peers were tuned into Van Halen and Depeche Mode.

Although I did not take Spanish, Miller’s "word power" class was hugely influential for me. I use it to this very day in my work as a writer, and perhaps most enjoyably as a means to annoy others with etymology.

Later, when Miller volunteered as an announcer at the public radio station in Fort Wayne, he invited me along to take listener requests. That eventually turned into some on-air work—and the start of my career in radio and journalism.

Over the years, we stayed in touch. Whenever I returned to Fort Wayne, I made a point to visit him, and he always made time to talk.
Miller was a rare individual —someone who genuinely cared more about others than himself. 

He was a gifted teacher and an extraordinary human being. The world is smaller without him.

OBITUARY

Kerry Alan Miller

24 September, 1947 – 11 May, 2025

D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Covington Knolls

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