Thomas Richard Miller

Thomas (Rich) was born on December 30th 1945 to Thomas Miller Jr. and Betty Lee Calvert in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His older sister, Margaret Clodfelter preceded him in death.

Rich's parents divorced at a young age so he was mostly raised at Colorado Christian Home, a Denver based orphanage, until he was old enough to live full-time with his Dad, Tommy Miller. Tommy was a machinist who worked nights for Gates Rubber Company, so he couldn't care for Rich when he was a child. After graduating from South High School in Denver, Rich joined the United States Navy and served his country faithfully from 1964 to 1969 as a Jet Engine Mechanic.

In 1970 he met his beloved wife, Mary (Kostner) from Chicago, Illinois and they married on December 16th 1972. In 1974 they moved to Colorado to share their life together and raise their loving family of three children. The oldest Shawn (Toni), Sherry (Tony), and the youngest Lisa (John). He is survived by and loved unconditionally by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild (Amber, Derrek, Alyssa, Koner, Ashlee, TJ, Heather, Emily and Jack). His children will remember his love as unconditional and sacrificial.

Rich, with his wife, faithfully attended Applewood Baptist Church for over four decades where they enjoyed Sunday school each week.

In 1975 he began working for the United States Post Office. This is where he met his best friend and brother, Jim Peffley. Together they found lots of ways to get into trouble. Jim later led Rich to work at United Airlines as a Flight Simulator Technician. This was not an easily obtainable goal. He spent the following years obtaining his education and experience starting from the bottom of the ladder at United working in the kitchen then working his way through different positions including a baggage handler and maintenance man. He also worked nights for three years in San Francisco, California commuting home on the weekends. He achieved his goal as a Flight Simulator Technician and worked his favorite job for six years. After retiring from United he couldn't sit still so he worked alongside his wife Mary for an Oil and Gas Company, Barrett Resources as the maintenance man. Later he went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Engineering Technician in Longmont, Colorado. Here he worked alongside another best friend, Tony Solano. These two stirred up lots of trouble together at the FAA. Dad's role included general maintenance for the building daycare "Junior Jets" where he was loved by all the children and employees who called him "Mr. Wrench".

Nothing brought him more joy than being around his family. He loved when everyone was gathered at his home. You'd often see him sitting across the room by himself with a smile on his face just watching all the love gathered together. If you knew Rich, you knew he loved to tinker and never threw anything away because "I could use that for something" he would say, and he sure did. The saying is "If Dad/Papa/Rich can't fix it, it can't be fixed." On any day he could be seen puttering in the garage with his other best bud, his brother-in-law, Wayne. They worked alongside each other on many projects.

Thank you to the outpouring of love and support we have received. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choosing in his honor. Dad's favorite charities were always anything for the Veterans or St. Jude Childrens Hospital. Also, Tennyson Center for Children, formerly the Colorado Christian Home where he was raised as a child.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Applewood Baptist Church: 11200 W. 32nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Isaiah 40:31 "they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."