Kenneth Allen Miller Sr.

Ken was born on July 28, 1942, in Des Moines. He lived most of his life in West Des Moines. At an early age, he attended Mr. Hebron Baptist Church in West Des Moines under the leadership of The Rev. James Harris. Ken attended school in the West Des Moines School District, graduating from Valley High School in 1961. Ken then went to Drake University in Des Moines and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, cum laude. He also received two Master of Science degrees in Elementary and Secondary Administration.

Ken served in the US Army from 1964 to 1966, serving in Vietnam as a Warhead Missile Specialist. After receiving his honorable discharge from the service, Ken returned to Des Moines married Billie Jean Eubanks in 1967 and together, they had a son, Kenneth II.

Ken taught for many years at Moore Elementary and Hoyt Middle Schools. He retired from the Des Moines School District as a Vice Principal at East High School. He was also the Dean of Students and the girls swimming, diving, and track coach at Hoover High School. Ken supervised students for the school district’s New Horizon Program during the summer. For many years, he was an evening supervisor for children’s programs at the Willkie House.

He was an avid golfer, played daily, had an exquisite short game, and scored three hole-in-ones! His hobbies included hunting for game, fishing, and mushroom hunting. Ken and Billie Jean loved to travel and visited over thirty countries. On Thursdays, Ken would have lunch with the Valley Boys.

He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 8879 and American Legion Post 620 in West Des Moines, Friendship Force of Greater Des Moines, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Mu Omicron, the Clarke County Old Iron Club.

Surviving Ken is his wife, Billie Jean; son Kenneth II; granddaughters Courtney and Trinity; sisters Alberta Johnson, Joan Crawford (Charles) and Annette Reed (Allen); brothers Cleo Underwood (Kay) and Herbie Underwood; brother-in-law Jim Harper; adopted mother Nancy Hickman and adopted sister Yvonne Burrell. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Underwood, sisters Grace Harper, Carolyn Myers and Sharon Bowman.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11 am, Saturday, February 26, at Corinthian Baptist Church (815 School St., Des Moines). Visitation will begin at 10 am on Saturday until service time at the church. Entombment with military honors will be at Resthaven Mausoleum in West Des Moines. A repast will follow entombment at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be directed to Corinthian Baptist Church.