Lawrence Miller

Lawrence Stanley Miller, born on September 1, 1937, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on July 7, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 86. He was the beloved son of Lawrence Buford Miller and Doris Elizabeth Hood Miller.

Lawrence served his country with honor in the United States Navy from December 29, 1955, to October 1960, achieving the rank of CTN while stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany. His military service was a testament to his dedication and love for his nation.

A man of many talents and interests, Lawrence was known for his quick wit, infectious laughter, and deep appreciation for the gift of words, love, and life. He was a gregarious wanderer, always eager to connect with others and share his unique perspective on the world. Fluent in German, he had a deep appreciation for languages and cultures. His spiritual journey was equally diverse, having been a member of Baptist, Catholic, and Russian Orthodox Church of America.

In 2001, Lawrence fulfilled a long-held dream by being ordained as a priest in the Russian Orthodox Church. He served his community with great devotion for four years before deciding to embark on a new chapter of his life. His decision to remarry for the third time brought him immense joy. Jocelyn Soneja Brito, his devoted and loving wife, was his steadfast companion and the light of his later years.

Lawrence led a rich and varied life, marked by his dedication to family, work, faith, and his love of nature and sailing. He was married three times during his lifetime: first to Sybille Hennighausen in Denny, Scotland, in 1962; then to Christina Quintana in Seattle, WA, in 1967; and finally to Jocelyn Soneja Brito in the Philippines in 2005.

Professionally, Lawrence excelled in various roles. He began as an assistant manager at Tandy Leather in Pueblo and later became the franchise owner of Tandy Leather in Las Vegas. He also managed Color Tile stores in multiple locations, including Seattle, Las Vegas, Hawthorne, and Daly City, and a Pier 1 Imports in the San Francisco area. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to ventures in the seltzer and music cassette industries in Las Vegas, as well as ownership of Sound Establishment (Sound Est). With his knowledge of the leather business, he extended that expertise to the import-export business through Australia, which took him to many different countries. Additionally, he pursued real estate and worked as an agent and broker.

Lawrence was a wonderful singer with a strong, beautiful voice and taught himself to play the trumpet quite beautifully. He was also a philosopher, which made him very easy to talk to. He was always looking to better himself in life and shared that wisdom with others, especially his daughter.

Lawrence's love and support were instrumental in helping his wife, Jocelyn, become a US citizen. He taught her conservative values, deepened her faith with better understanding, and helped her speak English more correctly to become a better US citizen. He was a loving husband, best friend, and great teacher who always wanted the best for her.

Lawrence was predeceased by his brother, Michael K. Miller, known as Mickey. He is survived by his loving wife, Jocelyn Soneja Brito; daughter, Rachel Miller Smith (Shannon); son, Andy Miller (Jamie); stepchildren, Buck Wagner (Pamela) and Dawn Wagner Dryden (Robert); and grandchildren, Andy Miller, Malachi Miller, and Fallon Miller. He is also survived by his step-grandsons, John Michael Wagner and John Delbert Wagner.

Lawrence's life can be summed up by the poignant words of Dylan Thomas: "Do not go gentle into that good night." He lived fully and fiercely, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.

Lawrence Stanley Miller will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his humor, kindness, unwavering spirit, and his passion for nature and sailing.

“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on thy servant Lawrence.”

A visitation for Lawrence will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209.

A memorial service to celebrate Lawrence's life will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, 11 July, Year of our Lord 2024 at Saint Mary Orthodox Christian Church located at 344 S. Martinson Street, Wichita, KS with a graveside service following at 1 PM, in his final resting place at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery located at 1208 N. College Street, Winfield, KS 67156.