Kenneth Miller

Kenneth Lowell Miller, 93, passed away Saturday, Sept 1, 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa. Kenneth was born in Pomona, California on Sept. 2, 1924 according to his mother, but recorded by the doctor as being born on Sept. 10. He was born to Vernon H. Miller and Elma (Forbes) Miller. His parents had moved with his older siblings from a farm in Clovis, NM to California. Shortly after Kenneth was born, the family returned to Clovis, NM because his father said California was too crowded. The family had a farm east of Clovis where Kenneth grew up and helped farm along with his brothers and sisters.

When he was 17, shortly after graduating from Clovis High, Kenneth began working for the AT&SF Railroad. He worked for them for the next fifty years, as a station agent and later as a train dispatcher, taking a couple of years off to serve in the US Army from 1944 thru 1946. He spent a year in Japan after the war. His job in Japan gave him access to a jeep and he was able to see much of the country. He had fond memories of the people he met and the places he saw. He always wanted to go back to visit. Kenneth spent most of his life in Clovis, NM. In 2012, after some health setbacks, Kenneth moved to live with his son Carter and wife Marta in Windsor Heights Iowa, and from there to a nearby Care Facility for much of the last three years.

Kenneth didn't have many conventional hobbies, but for many, many years, he had his milk goats and later on he had beehives that he thoroughly enjoyed taking care of. What he liked to do best was to help neighbors and friends out with whatever they needed, whether it was mowing their lawn, helping hook up a swamp cooler, or whatever. He took exceptional care of his wife Mary Carolyn in her final years when she was unable to take care of herself due to Alzheimer's. He also was exceptional in the care and attention he gave his son Gordon Eric, who has Down syndrome, fixing him three meals every day, until the day he was no longer able due to his own health issues. He loved his grandchildren, and although he wasn't able to see them as much as he would have liked, as none of them lived in Clovis, he would drive halfway across the state to watch his granddaughters' games. Kenneth's father was a Church of God minister and he himself was a member of the Church of God for many years.

Kenneth was one of seven children, all of whom along with his parents preceded him in death. His wife Mary Carolyn (Emmons) Miller to whom he was married for 59 years, preceded him in death on Aug. 18, 2006. His beloved daughter-in-law, Esther C. Lopez Miller also preceded him in death on March 7, 2012. Kenneth is survived by his four children, daughter Carolyn Miller St. Clair of Belen, NM; Sons Kenneth Vernon Miller of Fort Worth, TX; Carter Miller and wife Marta Miller of Windsor Heights, IA; and Gordon Eric Miller of Belen, NM; four grandchildren, Felipe Alvarez of Las Cruces, NM; Jelene Miller of Las Cruces, NM; Kristina Swift and her husband Jayson Swift of Las Cruces, NM; and Marlena Wood and her husband Jason Wood of Oak Harbor, WA.; and seven great-grandchildren, Kristopher, Nicolas, Emelee, Preston, Tobias, Adele, and Matilda. Kenneth also had numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, many of whom he kept in close contact with as long as he was able.

Kenneth was loved and will be remembered and missed by family and friends. A special mention to the Jose Mendoza family in Clovis with whom Kenneth and Mary had a longtime friendship and cared for them as if they were family.

Thank you to all the employees of the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines, IA.

Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Sept 8, 2018, at Steed-Todd Chapel with Pastor Dave Stevens officiating. Graveside services will follow at Mission Garden of Memories, with a reception afterwards at Living Word Church of God, 2101 E. 21st Street, Clovis, NM.

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