J.D. Miller

JD Miller, 96 yrs old, passed into the memory stage of his fun loving nature on October 9th 2012. He was born on July 26, 1916 in Hope, NM to Lealon and Agnes Miller. Services will be held at Grace Tabernacle Church, 401 W. Relation St., Safford Arizona on Wednesday, October 17th. Viewing is at 10: A.M. with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 A.M. Internment will be at Sheldon Cemetery following a lunch at the church. The family thanks everyone for honoring JD with thoughts, prayers and memories. JD and wife Dorothy met and married in New Mexico in 1938 and lived most of their lives in Morenci, Arizona. Their children, Everett, Gaylon and Darrell provided them with 5 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Other family and friends were accepted as if adopted into the family circle. JD worked for the Phelps Dodge Mine beginning in the early 1940s and retired in 1976 to York Arizona. Retirement gave JD and Dorothy time to travel and visit family, friends and past acquaintances with the freedom they had dreamed about. Dorothys passing in 2001 began a slowing process for JD that was accelerated by a stroke in 2005. Youngest son Darrell and Daughter-in-law Leanne became his caregiver for these past 7 years. Diagnosed with kidney failure about a year ago JD passed at about 6:30 A.M. Tuesday. Many memories are being voiced on facebook postings with references to the Cow Bell he used to cheer for teams, race car driving at Apache Grove, the VW Sand Buggys he drove off road more than on roads, the truck with a bench in the back for hauling ball teams, and the 1954 Chevy, drag races on the Safford straight away. His stories, jokes and bumfuzzling puzzles will forever live in our memories.