James Harvey Miller II

James Harvey Miller II, 68, of Charlottesville, passed away Friday, January 29, 2016, from Lewy Body Disease and related illnesses. Son of the late James H. and Velta Miller, Jim was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and moved many places in the United States and abroad, including Arizona, Arkansas, Germany and Japan, but Charlottesville was his home base and he returned in time to finish his senior year at Lane High School where he met his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Downing Ramsey Miller. Jim is survived by Downing; their son, James Harvey Miller III and wife, Bethany Knauff Miller; granddaughters, Hannah Ruth Miller and Chloe Elizabeth Miller, all of Charlottesville; and his brother, David Young Miller of Nellysford. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Jaqueline Toms Miller; and brother, Stephen Lyons Miller.

Jim received his Associates Degree from Piedmont Community College, served in the Coast Guard from 1970 through 1974, worked at the Charlottesville Fire Department, at Piedmont Cleaners and later obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mary Baldwin University. Jim worked for over twenty years for Charlottesville public schools serving as Coordinator for Homeless Services where he influenced the lives of many homeless children. For fifteen years Jim was a realtor and broker for Charlotte Ramsey Realtors.

Jim’s greatest joy was spending time with his granddaughters. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, and feeding the birds and squirrels. He was a member of the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club where he served as President for several years and taught gun safety to hundreds of people.

Jim was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, Men’s Bible Study teacher, and Youth Fellowship leader. Jim’s abiding faith sustained him through his illness.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday evening at First Presbyterian Church from 6:30 to 8:30, and a memorial service will be conducted at 2 PM on Wednesday, February 1, at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to First Presbyterian Church (Youth Programs), 500 Park St., Charlottesville, VA 22902; PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902; or the Mayo Clinic Dorothy and Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Lewy Body Dementia Program, Mayo Clinic -Development Department, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

James Harvey Miller II