Gene Arden Miller was born November 27, 1943 in
Cottage Grove
,
Oregon
, to Glenn and Lillian (Eastman) Miller. He spent part of his childhood in
Oregon
and later moved to
California
. There he graduated from
San Luis Obispo
High School
in 1962. He began attending
Cuesta
College
, but before completion he made the decision to join the Navy Sea Bees. In 1964 he served in
Vietnam
. It was there that Gene discovered his passion for civil engineering. During that time he also enjoyed being a photographer for the Navy. After two tours of duty, Gene went back to
Cuesta
College
and received his Associates in Science in 1970. He then went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from
Oregon
State
in
Corvallis
,
OR
. During this time, Gene made the most important decision of his life; he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour in 1972.
It wasn’t long after this that he met his dear, sweet Shelley Dunham and they were married October 19, 1974 in
Dallas
,
OR
. They would have celebrated their 35
th
wedding anniversary next week. Over the next several years, God blessed Gene and Shelley with five wonderful children. He worked for several companies over the years, but in 1991 he decided to start his own business as a civil engineer. In 1999, the family moved to
Rothsay
,
MN
. Through the years, he enjoyed travelling, vacationing, photography and serving the Lord through his church. Some of his best times were spent with his children and grandchildren. Gene Miller went home to be with his Lord on October 8, 2009.
Gene is survived by his loving wife Shelley and five children: His son, Joshua, wife Olivia, and grandson Jeb (Shelby, NC); his daughter, Emily, husband Andy, and grandchildren Lydia, Caleb, Elijah, Esther, Sarah, Noah, Daniel, and Thomas (Pelican Rapids, MN); his son Zachary and wife Deidra (Rothsay, MN); his daughter Hannah and his daughter Grace (both of Rothsay, MN). He is also survived by his three sisters: Pat Blanton, Donna, and husband Jimmy Souter, and Mary Ann Miller (all of
Dallas
,
OR
).
He is preceded in death by his parents. Gene was greatly loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. May his memory be blessed for generations to come.
