Roger Lynn Miller

Roger Miller, known affectionately by his many friends and loved ones by his handle “Buford”, passed away peacefully in the presence of dear family after a short hospice stay in Wheat Ridge, CO, on April 30, 2025. Buford was born in Denver, CO, on August 3, 1941, to Rufus and Lila Miller. He attended Sheridan High School, graduating in 1959. Following four years of service in the United States Coast Guard, he returned home to his native Colorado to start a successful engineering career with the United States Geological Survey. During this time, he met the love of his life and soulmate Kay Hallberg following a ski day, in Georgetown, CO. The two were married in Arvada, CO on February 28, 1970, to start a beautiful 55 years of love and companionship. In the following years, they had three children, Erin, Derek, and Brock. Buford transitioned to an engineering career with IBM / Lexmark in Niwot, CO, from which he retired after a long and successful career. Roger and Kay lived in the same home in Lakewood, CO, from 1974 until shortly prior to his passing.

Buford was wickedly intelligent, ingenuous, and tenacious. He had a legendary, self-effacing sense of humor and wit that made him an absolute joy to be around in any setting, for any duration. He was a selfless, deeply loving, generous character who always put his family and friends first.

Buford was a world class fly fisherman from a young age, mastering the waters of Alaska to the canyons and streams of Colorado and the American West. He was among the biggest fans of all Denver professional and local collegiate teams. He was possibly the most loyal Denver Broncos fan of all, having followed them closely from their inception in 1960 until his death. Rain, snow, or shine, he didn’t miss a Bronco home game between 1976 and 2003 and attended Super Bowls XII and XXII. Nothing brought Buford more pleasure than bringing his sons Derek and Brock to home games with him as soon as they were old enough to reasonably brave the rabid 76,000 person Mile High Stadium environment. In later years, pregame, real time, and postgame briefs and debriefs with Derek, Brock, Kay, Stephanie, and many lifelong friends kept this perpetually passionate fan close to the teams and to his extended sports family.

Buford is survived by his peerless wife and steadfast best friend of 55 years, Kay. He was infinitely proud of his pilot son Derek and his M.D son Brock, both US Air Force Academy graduates and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonels. He deeply loved and was very proud of Derek’s attorney wife Stephanie, Brock’s doctor wife Ursula, and their children / his grandchildren, Amelia and Cade. Roger was preceded in death by his daughter Erin, who passed away in 1982 after a lifelong struggle with brain cancer. A short obituary cannot possibly convey the impact that this unique and wonderful giant of a man had on his countless family and friends over a very well lived 83-year earthly tenure. HIs memory will live on forever with all who ever had even a passing relationship with him.

A private ceremony will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery