Grandville James Miller

Grandville "Jim" Miller, passed away at his daughter Jamie’s home in Tacoma, Washington, after a long battle with heart failure.

Jim was born on May 1st, 1929, in Monroe, Washington to Granville and Martha (Lentz) Miller. It was a very small town, and it was family knowledge that he was born on the one hospital bed in town, the same bed his grandad passed away in. He lived in Sultan until he enlisted in the military.

Jim, or Jimmie as his siblings called him, was the oldest of 7 children. His siblings described him as an amazing big brother who took care of them as best he could. They all looked up to him as children and he took this role very seriously.

Jim was a great son and helped care for his six younger siblings when his father was in the service aboard the Blackhawk, with most of his time on the USS Arizona, and when he worked nights once he was discharged. This was a tough time being during the depression, but Jim did everything he could to work and help his mom and siblings. At 16, Jim tried to forge his age and enlist in the military, the recruiters called his dad and he "tanned his hide all the way home" lol. He didn't give up his goal of being in the military and, once of legal age, he and best friend and bandmate, Dale Heitman, both enlisted, Jim into the army and Dale into the Air Force. Jim trained in California before being sent to Japan. Jim was a veteran of the Korean War. He was very proud to be a Vet and made sure to wear his Army Vet cap everywhere he went.

Jim was a musician and started playing instruments at the age of 4 with learning the violin. This was the start of his lifelong love of music in any form. Jim played Keyboard, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, and the Double Bass, as well as being the lead singer. He also instilled the love of music into his children and stepchildren, many of them also playing instruments.

Jim also played music in the military, reminiscing he could make $5 a gig and that was much better than getting a job on base for much less. Plus, being in a band didn't hurt with the girls. Lol

Jim was also a back yard mechanic and made sure all his girls knew enough to take care of their vehicles. He loved to “fix” things and always had an amplifier, microphone, or instrument he was working on to repair.

Jim is survived by 4 siblings (Jeanne, Marlene, Jerry, and Shirley), 4 children (Randall, Carolyn, Sandra, and Jamie), 3 stepchildren, (Tina, Connie, and Karen), 6 grandsons (Roberto, Garrett, Hunter, Dane, Kristopher, Joseph), 1 granddaughter (Rikki), 4 great grandchildren (Mateo, Lena, Lily, and Joshua) many other relatives and his longtime close friend (Lynne). He was especially close with his grandson, Roberto, and his granddaughter, Rikki. Jim had 2 siblings (Marilyn and Ronnie) and one grandson (Stephen) precede him in death.

Jim is being honored with a military service and honor guards. He will be buried in the Sultan yard with all his family.

If you would like to help with any costs of Jim’s service please see his go fund me at Fundraiser by Connie Lopez : Grandville James Miller (gofundme.com) .