Byron Ernst Miller

Born on October 28, 1914, Byron

> graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio in 1932,

> graduated from John Tarleton State College in Stephenville with an associate’s degree in 1935,

> graduated with Rice University’s tuition-free Class of 1940, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Byron was preceded in death by his beloved wife Thelma and son D. Ray Erickson, and is survived by sons Charles E. Miller & fiancé Cathy Greaney, Stephan B. Miller & wife De Aaon, granddaughter Danielle Harris & husband Chris with children Makayley, Kylynn and Bradley, grandson Brian Erickson & wife Cheryl with children Haley and Amrylin and a host of beloved, extended family.

Byron joined Shell Pipe Line Company and traveled system wide until drafted into military service on February 8, 1941. Byron was the first employee from Shell Oil to be drafted and served in Asia and at bases in Texas. During his tenure in the service, Byron designed a streamlined repair system for training planes which increased the available flight time by over 50% at his facility.

After discharge, Byron returned to Shell until 1965. While there he

> supervised operation/maintenance of Shell’s private telephone network (~700 miles).

> engineered Shell’s first VHF mobile radio system;

> supervised engineering/procurement/installation of Shell’s first offshore microwave system, extending out from New Orleans;

> installed microwave system from New Mexico to California, over longest distances yet attempted in the US;

> was responsible for Shell’s first auto-controlled pumping station (3100 HP).

Byron joined Philco Ford Corporation in 1965, where he was assigned to NASA. He calculated the preferred re-entry angle for the first manned space vehicle flights and was in charge of World Communications until the massive layoffs of 1968.

Byron’s next role was Staff Electrical Engineer at the University of Houston. Twelve major buildings were completed during his tenure, and he contributed to the Clear Lake campus construction effort.

In 1976 Byron became Senior Principal Engineer at Gulf Interstate Engineering Company, where he served on the DOE’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program staff. He later joined Facilities Engineering, where he worked on a variety of projects, remaining active as a PE until he was 87.

Byron and Thelma married in 1953 and raised three sons. He was a loving caretaker and devoted father; committed to fostering a strong character and sense of ethics, he led his family to stay active in the Lutheran church. This steadfast devotion gave the family strength time after time in moments of trial. When Stephan was born so premature that he was not expected to survive, Byron’s persistence found an experimental program to accept him, then Byron found ways to make the next, long weeks easier on his wife, allowing her more time to rest. When his college-age second son Charles had a traumatic head injury, Byron’s was the first face he saw when he finally awoke. After a disastrous automobile accident, Thelma had many hospitalizations. When Ray died prematurely, Byron helped the family through the grieving process. After a long life and close relationship, Byron’s father Frank died in his arms.

Our family has lost a loving father, a firm disciplinarian, a creative, stoic, witty, music lover, a beloved leader and friend.

Family and friends will gather at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston for a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012. Funeral services, led by The Reverend Donald G. Black, will be held in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 15th with graveside services and interment following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.