Jacques (Jack) Curtis Miller lived a full life as a devoted husband, loving father to three children, beloved Pop-Pop to four grandchildren, and a steady force in the lives of all that knew him. He passed away peacefully the evening of November 29, 2022, at the age of 91, with his family beside him.
Jack was born on May 24, 1931, in Long Branch Grove, New Jersey; the youngest of three brothers. He was 19 years old when he joined the U.S. Navy serving aboard the U.S.S. Rochester during the Korean War. While in the Navy he obtained the rank of EM2 and was awarded the Korean Service Medal (6 stars) and the United Nations Service, Navy Occupation, and National Defense Medals. Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, using the GI bill, he attended the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
While attending UMD, Jack was set up on a blind date through a mutual friend with Sondra McKee, a lively and gregarious resident of Carny’s Point, New Jersey. In 1959, on the summer solstice, Jack married Sondra. Together they raised three children: Michael, David, and Jackie.
Jack spent his early years as an engineer working for Bethlehem Steel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1963, Jack accepted a job with McDonnell Douglas and moved his family to St. Louis, Missouri where he would work, live, and raise his family for the next 26 years.
Upon retirement in 1990, Jack spent a few years traveling the country as a contractor but eventually settled with Sondra on the Jersey Shore. In Brigantine, New Jersey, they created a sunny golden paradise for themselves and for everyone who came to their home. Jack would quietly ensure everything was in order, so family visits were seamless fun, including picking up everyone’s favorite food items, and providing taxi service for everyone to and from the beach.
As part of downsizing, in 2010, Jack and Sondra moved to Collingswood, New Jersey to be closer to their daughter, Jackie and their grandson, Jack. In 2019, due to mobility issues after hip surgery, Jack moved to the United Methodist of Collingswood Assisted Living facility. Jack was later joined by Sondra in 2021. They spent several months together preceding her passing in June 2021.
Jack is preceded by his wife and lifelong companion of 62 years Sondra. He is survived by his three children: Michael Miller (St. Louis, Missouri), David and Aruna Miller (Darnestown, Maryland), and Jackie Lesko and Barry Schuester (Collingswood, New Jersey) and his four grandchildren: Meena, Chloe, Sasha Miller, and Jack Lesko. Jack will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 1pm at the Blake-Doyle Funeral Home in Collingswood, New Jersey followed by burial at the Lawnside Cemetery in Pilesgrove, New Jersey.
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