Charles Edward Miller

Charles Edward Miller was an eccentric man with a sociable nature. He always had many stories to tell, keeping his audience in awe with his numerous adventures and life journeys. Charlie worked in the Casino and Hospitality industry for decades. One day, Charlie left to work in Pinetop, AZ, as a Housekeeping Supervisor for the Hon-Dah Casino. He disappeared for nearly two years, and one day, he returned home to Las Vegas. Charlie was gifted a beautiful, handmade, stitched frame, which contained a farewell letter from his housekeeping crew. I found this farewell letter appropriate because this was exactly my pops.

It read as follows:

The Legend of Apache One

It was a cold snow blowing winters day in November. Hon-Dah’s Housekeeping crew was desperately seeking a way to warm up their freezing conditions. They look in all directions, high and low. Then out of the midst of the blowing snow, they saw a sight so beautiful that many to this day cannot believe – a soaring EAGLE flying so high and mighty. They looked eagerly at this eagle, wondering, “What will it do”? The eagle landed in front of the Housekeeping crew.

Almost instantly, the eagle transformed into a human-like figure. DARKMAN emerged. Was this a sign of an old Apache folklore of the eagle that would come from Las Vegas to help the Apache people? At first, he walked around aimlessly through the casino and hotel. He would keep going from one end to the other, then turn around and go back again. His smile from ear to ear made the crew realize that he was not to be feared.

The crew began to accept that DARKMAN for who he was. He showed them things that they didn’t know. He gave away secrets to his knowledge that will be remembered for a long time. He opened their eyes to a New World. They began to like him so much that they named him APACHE ONE because many Apache Warriors, still being fierce and aggressive, were always willing to share their knowledge and wisdom. The old ones would always tell stories of their journey through life, and the younger ones learned many lessons. Then, as quickly as they came to know him, it had to come to an end. He was only a messenger of wisdom. He came and told his story. The sad, heartfelt day of his departure has made many feel like they have lost the brother that they did not have. His presence will surely be missed.

As the summer season quickly approaches, the rodeos and pow-wows will start up again. The Housekeeping crew will soon be dancing, singing, and laughing. Nevertheless, somewhere in Las Vegas, a cowboy once known as the APACHE ONE, will be winning over the hearts of all the rodeo fans because no one can take the heart of this VEGAS COWBOY. Although he has gone, the whispering winds of spring blowing through the White Mountain Pine Trees tell another legend. A legend that someday, in August, APACHE ONE will return.

~ Your Faithful Housekeeping Crew!

Although he is gone, the whispering winds tell another legend. Charlie left a positive impact on people’s lives wherever he went. He came into our lives over forty years ago and left us with a lasting impression. Charlie was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. You will be truly missed, pops.

Charles Edward Miller is survived by his wife, Esperanza Arana Miller, his children, Monica, Salvador, and Victor, and his grandchildren: Armando, Marcos, Patrick, Belen, Miguel, and Victor Jr.

May you rest in power.