Sidney Jay Miller

Sid was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on December 21, 1937, to Loretta and Sidney Gordon Miller. As a youth, he was active in the local YMCA and Boy Scouts of America. He earned his Eagle in 1956 and spent many years as a camp counselor as well as working at the National Training Center doing public relations work . After graduating from Appleton High School, Sid continued his education at Missouri Valley College where he earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in sociology and human relations followed by a Master’s degree in Sociology with the intention of going into scouting as a career. Sid was named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges as well as being an officer in many social and merit fraternities. Sid met Donna Diana Christoff while at Missouri Valley. They married in 1960 and were six months shy of their 50th anniversary when Diana passed away in 2010.

Sid spent much of his life teaching others, volunteering and working to better his community. Following graduation, Sid and Diana moved to Texas, where he began his career as a professor at Southern Methodist University teaching Statistics. He later worked for The Justice Department doing civil rights work, The Department of Housing and Urban Development, and ended his career as a mortgage banker. Sid was an advocate for all people and was a lifelong volunteer. He served a counselor at the Suicide and Crisis Center of Dallas where he answered phones and helped those who were in need. He took great pride in helping end Richardson Independent School District’s segregation in 1975 when 300 families volunteered to bus their children to Hamilton Park Elementary. Sid and Diana were members of Saint Barnabas Presbyterian Church where Sid became an ordained elder in 1968. He was a dedicated member of Valley View Homeowners Association where he served in various capacities. Sid enjoyed volunteering for the Dallas Police Department as Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) Chairman and on the City of Dallas Civil Service Board earning a Volunteer Service Commendation for 1,000 hours of community service. He encouraged those around him to participate in and advocate for their neighborhoods as well. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he became involved in the Parkinson Voice Project as an advocate and later led a support group at his assisted living facility.

Sid proudly supported the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer 3-Day walk by hosting a cheering station for years in his front yard after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and became a 17 year survivor. Sid took great joy in playing Santa during the Christmas season at Old City Park, donating his time for local charities and entertaining children at the Autism Society of Collin County Christmas party for many years as long as his voice would allow. Many children in his neighborhood and family friends enjoyed special visits from Santa Sid to deliver candy canes and holiday cheer.

Family and friends remember Sid as a generous neighbor and friend who was always there to help when needed. He had an endless supply of tools to fix all things broken. His quick wit and humor helped him to put others at ease and the ability to focus on positive circumstances was a quality that he passed on to those around him.

Sid was preceded in death by his parents, Loretta and Sidney G. Miller, his siblings Gordon Miller and Carolyn Sipple, and wife, Diana Miller.

Sid is survived by his oldest daughter, Jill Burt (Ross Sivertsen), his youngest daughter, Amy Ayotte (Kelly), and his grandchildren, Britton Burt, Luke and Jake Ayotte.

A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 Belt Line Road in Richardson, Texas with Carolyn Osoinach officiating on Saturday, October 7th at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sid’s memory may be made to:

H.E.R.O.E.S (day program that Sid's grandson attends)

101 S. Coit Rd

Suite 36-348TX

Richardson, TX 75080

heroesdfw.org/donate

Finding Independence by CPSH

508 W Lookout

Suite 14 #96

Richardson, TX 75080

txcpsh.org

Saint Barnabas Presbyterian Church

1220 W. Belt Line Rd

Richardson, TX 75080

saintb.org/Give