John E. Miller

He was born on December 16, 1932 in Kansas City, Missouri to Earl Jefferson Miller and Marguerite Lorean (Edds) Miller. He was one of eight children and the last to pass. He graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City and attended Park College in Parkville, Missouri. His career was spent in the insurance industry, including owning his own agency, but music was his passion. John had an amazing tenor voice and shared it on the Starlight Theater stage in the early 1950s. He also sang with the Kansas City Lyric Opera and helped start an opera company in Fargo, North Dakota. Throughout most of his life he was a choir director for various churches, including Faith United Methodist Church in Fargo and Leawood United Methodist and Leawood Presbyterian Churches in Kansas. He loved bringing music to children and often brought it to the classroom at Parkwood Day School in Leawood.

John was a Private First Class in the Army. Both his military and professional career took him to new locations including Georgia, New Mexico, North Dakota with a final return to the Kansas City area in 1969. Together with his wife of 67 years, Betty Jo (Dillon) Miller, he adopted three children. John was actively involved in their lives, coaching baseball and softball teams and supporting their interests always. He did the same with his grandchildren. He was their biggest cheerleader.

John loved to play golf and later in life became an avid reader. He was a man of faith and started every day with his “meditation” time, followed by playing his electric piano. He loved his KC Chiefs and especially his KC Royals.

John E. Miller was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Betty Jo, his son John Scott (Carol Beaver Miller) of Okemah, Oklahoma and many other loved ones during his 92 years. He is survived by his son Jeff Miller (Gina Dunn) of Blue Mound, Kansas, daughter Pam Miller (Doug Hubler) of Leawood, Kansas, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the many extended family members and friends who loved him and supported him throughout his life and those who rallied around him at the end. He was surrounded by overwhelming love before going home.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Leawood United Methodist Church at 2915 W. 95th Street, Leawood, KS 66206 on Thursday, February 13th at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Music Program at Leawood United Methodist Church.

.