Michael Eugene Miller

Michael E. Miller, a resident of Aberdeen, passed away Dec. 11, 2024 in Olympia, WA. He had been attending a charity banquet when he suffered a heart attack, though unexpected he was surrounded by family in the end.

Mike was born in Aberdeen on May 6, 1960, to Blanche (Wells) and Samuel Miller Sr. He was descended from Quinault and Skokomish and a Nisqually tribal member. His stepfather Charles Lane was a constant in his life, as were his Aunt Angelic and Uncle Francis Napoleon Jr. Along with his siblings Sam, Charles, DeAnn and Joni, Mike spent his childhood in Grays Harbor. He graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1978.

In 1979 he married his high school sweetheart and soul mate Kelly Fisk. They had two children, Ryan and Katie. They made their home in Central Park and Mike worked for Industrial Electric in Aberdeen. He was a Quinault treaty fisherman, spending many salmon runs on the Chehalis river with his cousin Francis Napoleon III. He took great joy in fatherhood and could always be found at Cub Scouts, 4-H, school and sporting events around town.

After the children graduated Mike took a job with the Quinault Tribe opening the Ocean Shores market and eventually managing the Taholah Mercantile. He and Kelly enjoyed travel, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Maui and later travelled around Europe. He also made many trips to California to visit Katie and cheer on his future son-in-law Tim. In 2008, Ryan married Mellanie and in 2009, Katie married Tim; Mike loved them like his own.

For the past ten years Mike worked with the Nisqually Tribal Markets in Olympia. He worked there happily until his passing. As a tribal elder Mike became involved in the annual canoe journeys and cedar weaving, a skill he had learned as a young boy from his grandma Emily Purdy and was passing along to his own grandchildren. He was a loving and silly grandfather to his four grandsons, Henry, James, Luke and Jack. Every summer the entire family would go camping, a lifelong hobby for Mike. In 2019 for their 40th anniversary, Mike and Kelly renewed their wedding vows at a beautiful family celebration.

Mike will be eternally missed and is survived by his mother Blanche Lane, siblings Charles and DeAnn Miller, his wife Kelly, their children Ryan and Mellanie Miller of Aberdeen and Katie and Tim Mattran of Tacoma, his four grandsons, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and community were deeply important to Mike, in his honor the family is hosting a memorial luncheon to be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at noon at the Nisqually Spirit House located at 1922 Lashi St. SE, Olympia, Washington.