Florian "Randy" H. Miller Jr.

Florian H. ("Randy") Miller, Jr. was born on March 13, 1924 in Louisville, Mississippi to Florian H. and Bertha Brunargle Miller (deceased). He died at home on August 13, 2020 at age 96 with his loving family by his side.

Randy graduated from high school in 1941 and went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps building deer blinds for hunters during the summer. He was only 17, but his dad signed for him to be able to join the Navy where he was assigned to the Kiddie Cruise since he wasn't yet 18. He served faithfully for twenty years in the U.S. Navy.

He went to a USO gathering, where the young sailors could meet and visit with the local girls. When it his turn to introduce himself, he said "my name is “Florian," to which one of the girls said, "That's too hard to remember. I'll call you "Randy" because you resemble Randolph Scott." He became Randy to most of his family and friends after that.

He married Bernadine Walraven in 1947. She had a two-year-old son, Allen, whom Randy raised as his own. Randy's naval job was repairing damaged aircraft during World War II. He retired on February 28, 1961 as a Chief Petty Officer, after a distinguished career in the Navy. He was proud of his service to his country. This was evidenced by him always wearing his cherished Navy cap. Following retirement from the Navy, he worked 17 years for the Civil Service at Naval Air Rework Facility, North Island in Coronado, CA.

In 1981 he and his family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where he began his woodworking hobby and quickly became a skilled master woodworker. Randy built show place furniture and cabinets. He and his wife, Bernadine, relocated to Colorado Springs in 1991 where his wife died in 1994.

He met Vida Dixon, a recent widow, at a Colorado Springs square dance club. Not wanting to get serious he moved back to San Diego. He decided to commute periodically to Colorado Springs to continue square dancing. Within a few months, commuting grew old. He bought a home and moved back to Colorado Springs, so he could continue to dance with Vida. They married on January 5, 2002, and shared a loving marriage caring for each other for over 18 years. They enjoyed traveling to 47 states and made many trips to Mississippi to pick up oak lumber for his many wood-making projects and to visit his family. Randy helped Vida through a period of losing her first husband, and she faithfully cared for him during his last year of illness.

Randy was a loyal member of East United Methodist Church, where he served in many ways. He loved best making his Texas chili for Christmas carolers. He was an associate member of the CSHS/Palmer Alumni Association. He attended meetings where he enjoyed eating biscuits and gravy most of all. He was a member of The Retired Enlisted Association.

Randy is survived by wife, Vida; son, Allen of Englewood, Florida; step-children, Chris Dixon (step-daughter) and Doug Dixon (step-son) of Colorado Springs. Grandchildren, Amanda Waller (Jay) of Killeen, Texas; and David Vasquez (Cassie) of Colorado Springs. Five great-granchildren, Lauryn, Eliza, Ahren, Azariah and Liam. He was preceded in death by his first wife, three brothers and two sisters. Randy will be interred at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetary in San Diego, California. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Colorado Springs