Patrick Wharton Miller, 88 of New Bern went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, January 18, 2021. Pat was born on October 17, 1932 in Pittsburg, Kansas to the late Henry Wharton Miller and Mildred Painter Miller.
‘Pops’, as many of his family members referred to him, served in the US Air Force for twenty years where he met his first wife, Dot. Then he began a career in education that spanned another twenty years. He loved sports, playing football and baseball in high school, bowling, and even pitching for church league softball teams into his sixties. His hobbies included woodworking, HO trains and putting together puzzles.
Pat loved people. He never met a stranger and had no problems conversing with others, often greeting them in German. He was the happiest when he was spending time with people, working in the yard or nurturing his pets. He left a legacy of faith for his family to follow. He exemplified this by so faithfully serving in every church that he attended, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, serving on boards and even assisting in the construction of the first English-speaking Baptist church in Germany where he was stationed. He will also be remembered by the tenderness that he showed his loving wife of the past twenty-eight years.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia, two sons, Dana Miller (Lisa) of Kinston, NC and Dale Miller (Samee Jo) of Goldsboro, NC, two grandsons, Dale Miller (Lelia), Jackson Miller, granddaughter, Jordan Miller and his great-grandchildren Abby, Caleb, and Bethany Miller. His surviving sisters include his twin, Patricia Kvalheim (Irv), of Petaluma, CA, Marilyn Bomerman of Rohnert Park, CA, and Barbara Franklin of Citrus Heights, CA. He is also survived by the step-family that he loved as his own: Step-daughter Lee Ann Keen (Ray) of Clayton, NC; Step-grandchildren Travis Turnage (Allyson) of Winterville, NC, Ashton Turnage of Greensboro, NC, Bert Matthews (Cindy) of Hookerton, NC, and Crystal Roberts (Richard) of Clayton, NC, step-great-grandchildren Cole, Keetin, and Jacob Matthews; Harrison and Hudson Turnage; and Sloane Roberts.
He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his two sons, Dorothy Murphy Miller of Kinston, NC, his parents ‘Whart’ and ‘Millie’ of Petaluma, CA, his brother Bob Miller of Petaluma, CA, and his step-son Robert Matthews of Hookerton, NC.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Carolina East Medical Center for taking such good care of him and them during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Jack and Susan Brown, who have been dear friends and neighbors for many years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Christian Church of Jasper – 3475 NC Hwy 55 West, New Bern, NC 28562 or Colonial Capital Humane Society – PO Box 326, New Bern, NC 28563.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Cotten Funeral Home from 4pm to 6pm. A Graveside Service, with military honors, will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 2 pm at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC, with Pastor Lee Kirkman officiating the service and is open to the public.
Online condolences may be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com. In the care of Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory.
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