Thomas Lester Miller
THOMAS LESTER MILLER, son of AGNES ALEXANDER BUTLER and LESTER THOMAS MILLER, was born September 24, 1922 in Marrietta, Washington, Ohio,628, 3014 and died May 7, 2012 in San Diego, San Diego, California.2564
Obituaries
Thomas Lester Miller
September 24, 1922 - May 7, 2012
Col. Thomas Lester Miller has transitioned through the portal we call death in peace and surrounded by loving hearts. He was born on his father’s birthday, September 24 1922. His Dad, Lester Thomas Miller, and Mother Agnes Alexandra Butler were part of the aviation pioneers of the early 20th century. Lester or “Tubby” as he was known knew Orville Wright and was a balloon Pilot in the First World War. Growing up in the Military milieu Tom wore uniforms of one sort or another through half his life. He grew up mostly on bases, his favorite always being Hawaii. When LT Miller was a Brig. Gen., he had the honor of conferring on his own son his commission as an officer in the Army Air force upon graduation from cadet school in 1942.
That same year Tommy began his romance with the daughter of Brig. Gen. Harold H. George (George AFB), Luena (Peggy). The handsome young couple were married the same year and went on to have five children; Robin, Lynn, Leslie, Thomas Taylor and, after a seven year hiatus, Michelle. Tom and Peggy divorced in 1969. He later married Mary Mitchell, and, after she passed, Cecilia Alapa of Hawaii.
Tom attended University of Michigan between enlistments and received his BS in Electrical Engineering. As a Major he was awarded the Medal of Commendation in 1962 for his role as Strategic Command Chief of Electronic Warfare or the Wild Weasels. He worked at North American Aviation and Autonetics after going into the Reserves as a Lt. Col.. He later retired from the Air Force as a full Colonel. He worked on the Apollo Project as an aerospace engineer. He was part of the team that developed the landing system for the moon unit, Eagle. He studied oceanography and was a qualified SCUBA diver, which he recertified in 1990 to swim the Barrier reef off the coast of Australia.
The layoff of the 1970’s found him without work, so he went for his Masters Degree at UC Irvine. He then traveled back to Virginia, the home of his mother’s family, to work in Washington DC with the new department of HUD called FEEMA. He became the authority, wrote textbooks and policy on flood planes & flood plane maps. Sen. Proxmire commended Tom’s department as the most efficient in the organization. Tom retired to Hawaii where he lived for approximately 18 years, before coming to live by son, Tom, in San Diego, CA.
Tom was always interested in physical fitness. He was a body builder and runner. He would make odd green concoctions and insist they were quite drinkable (!). He was happiest when sweat was dripping off his nose and chin. This trait is apparently a family tradition as all his children and grandchildren are walkers, runners, tri-athletes and yoga instructors.
He was also intensely interested in spiritual matters and searched for answers in many traditions. This too he passed on to his descendants. He had wanted to be a preacher in his early life, but his father’s strong military background won out.
He was a complex man; brilliant, volatile, tender, funny, quirky, tragic, loving. He passed in peace to the arms of the Dear One and with the hearts of all who love him May 7, 2012. All his children, 10 grandchildren and 9 and a half great grandchildren wish him God-speed on his journey.2564
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| April 9, 19302276 | Elizabeth City, Virginia |
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| May 22, 19402563 | Bath, Greene, Ohio |
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