James Frederick Miller

On January 25, 2020 at Pecan Ridge Memory Care in Austin, Texas at age 94. Born to Christine Collins & Gustave Miller in DeTour Village, Michigan. Survived by daughters: Jill (Rob) Saufferer, Jeanne (Dave) Rollins, and Joanne Miller (Ben Knight); daughter in law Karen Miller; grandson Bryan Saufferer; and granddaughter Aili Joy Miller. Also by numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Harju Miller, to whom he was married 60 years. Also preceded in death by his son Jeff Miller, granddaughter Brittany Miller, his parents, and seven brothers and sisters.

Jim and Joyce lived most of their married life in Detroit, Michigan and Silver Spring, Maryland and most summers at Caribou Lake in upper Michigan. Jim had a BS from Michigan State University and a Master of Urban Planning from Wayne State University. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, touring the South Pacific in a landing ship, which he described as a metal box that floated. He also served in the Navy during the Korean War on a destroyer. He worked for 23 years as the Director, Environmental Planning Division, HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Prior to that he served as a City Planner in Akron, Ohio and Deputy Director, Detroit Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Commission.

Jim was a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. He enjoyed woodworking, making jewelry, and photography, but he was happiest when he was beachcombing on lakes in Michigan.

The funeral and burial will be held in DeTour Village, Michigan this summer.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Jeffrey Miller Scholarship fund at Shepherd University, P.O. Box 3210, Shepherdstown WV 25443, or to Union Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 217, DeTour Village, MI 49725.