David Lee Miller

Dave was born to Myrtle Cook Miller and Sherman Lee Miller on March 29, 1943. The family was complete with the birth of his brother, Bill Henry Miller. He grew up in the mountains of southwest Virginia where the mountain peaks seemed to be reaching for the sun and where the main industry was coal mining.

He became a Christian at the age of nine under the tutelage of Rev. Carl Beadles at Garden Methodist Church. He became a Baptist during flight training in Pensacola and has been a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas since 1971.

Dave attended Garden High School in Oakwood, Virginia where his main interest was sports, and he played football, basketball, and baseball. His mother taught school and his father was first a coal miner and then appointed postmaster. They both attended every game in which Dave played. He was captain of the football team, where he played quarterback his senior year, was captain of the basketball team, and played baseball. He was pleased to receive an invitation to walk on to the Duke basketball team. During his junior year, he was elected Lieutenant Governor to preside over the Senate his senior year at the Virginia Model General Assembly.

Dave made the decision to accept an appointment to the United States Naval Academy to attend college and pursue a career in the Naval Service. This was a difficult decision, but it turned out to be a great one. The academics were tough, in addition to the military requirements and the requirement to play intramural

sports each semester. He graduated on June 9, 1965 and chose to pursue a career in Naval Aviation.

During his first summer cruise on a ship in Mayport, Florida he met Pat Kennington on a blind date. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and there was an instant attraction. They were married on June 10, 1965 in Annapolis, Maryland and celebrated 59 years of marriage this year.

Dave went through flight training in Pensacola and Milton, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas. Upon receiving his wings in December 1966, he returned to Milton as an instructor, teaching instrument flying. He then went to Jacksonville, Florida to fly P-3s as a Plane Commander.

He resigned from the Navy after six years and went to work for Electronic Data Systems and enjoyed a long career before taking early retirement after 29 years. He oversaw the life and health division and was particularly adept at negotiating contracts. He was grateful for his lengthy career and all the many friends he made during his time with EDS.

Dave had a love for sports – both playing and watching. He rarely missed watching golf, the Dallas Cowboys, Navy Football, the Texas Rangers and Lake Highlands Wildcat sports. He loved to travel with his family each summer to the beach and enjoyed traveling around the world with Pat.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Kennington Miller, his two daughters, Laura Michele Miller Adams (Lance Adams) and Elizabeth Ann Miller (Carter Calle), his granddaughter, Dr. Taylor Elizabeth Adams (Evan Farley) and grandson, Connor Lance Adams. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments and loved his family unconditionally.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Miller, a nephew, William Cody Miller, in addition to many cousins. He had four cousins, Jim McGlothlin, Tom McGlothlin, Mickey McGlothlin and Van Hamlin who were like brothers to him. They grew up together, played together, ate dinner after church every Sunday, and vacationed together. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas for the compassionate care they provided over the years.

Dave wants everyone to know that he will be waiting when we all get to heaven.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” – Matthew 25:21 A celebration of his life will be held Friday, September 27th at 2:00 PM at Ellis Chapel, Park Cities Baptist Church, in Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the US Naval Academy Foundation at www.usna.com/give or First Baptist Church of Dallas at https://pushpay.com/g/firstdallas.

Services for David will be live streamed at https://pcbcspecialevents.online.church/