Dudley Lee Miller

Dudley L. Miller, age 74, passed away suddenly and very peacefully at his home in Lake Elsinore, CA in early March 2017, with his wife and son at his side. He suffered two strokes and underwent surgery in December 2013 and had been recovering at home since April 2014.

Dudley was born the last and seventh child of Osmond and Erma Miller, Ellston, IA, on May 10, 1942. He grew up and lived in Des Moines, IA until he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his early teen years, along with his neighborhood friends, was a proud member of the "4th Street River Rats", and those friendships lasted throughout his life. It was on "4th Street" in Des Moines, IA at age 15 1/2 yrs., that he fell in love with his wife, Elaine, after he caught a glimpse of her walking by with one of her friends. They married six months after high school and after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While attending North High School, Dudley excelled and lettered in track and field, and he remained fast, swift and agile his entire life. While serving in the U.S. Army, he became an Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman of rifles; and while being assigned to a missile site in WA, he received recognition for his knowledge, skill, speed and accuracy of the building, disassemble, re-building and repair of missiles. He also served 1 1/2 yrs. in Okinawa. After his Honorable Discharge in 1964, he joined his wife in California, where they had, and raised their two sons; residing 23 yrs. in Orange Co. and 30 yrs. in Riverside Co.

While living in the desert, and working for Pacific Bell, Dudley built several dune buggies, taking his family to the lakebed, "little" sand dunes and "big" sand dunes in them; he restored motorcycles and owned many street bikes and dirt bikes. He was an enthusiastic participant in desert dirt-bike racing competitions, winning trophies/medals/pins. After leaving the desert, he thoroughly enjoyed restoring all various makes of cars, sometimes with the help of his sons. Throughout his life, he especially liked buying new cars, trucks and campers. He enjoyed taking short camping trips to unusual locations; and would be anxious to take trips back to the desert for target shooting. Dudley was multi-talented, there wasn't anything he couldn't build, fix, repair or figure out, and he was very generous of his time in helping family, friends and neighbors with any of their problems. A dear, elderly neighbor would always comment, "that Dudley, is so smart!". He was an artist, he painted murals; and sometimes he would create something great using his carpentry and metal-work skills. Dudley was a natural athlete, playing football, basketball, volleyball, etc., exceptionally well. His absolute expertise and passion though were computers, and many years ago, he was named "the computer genius"! It was always fun to watch him when he was solving intricate problems with such ease and confidence. He taught us all so much, even when sometimes giving us just one chance to "catch on". Dudley had a great, dry sense of humor, very quick wit and possessed a high intellect. He was a true friend to others; and, he had this incredible deep voice and wonderful smile.

Dudley worked for Pacific Bell, AT&T, for 35 yrs. and retired in 2002 as Manager. Working at Pacific Bell were some of the happiest and proudest years in his life. After retirement, he missed being a mentor to his many colleagues, and he held close to his heart, the good friends he had made over the years at Pacific Bell. He received honors and awards for his achievements at Pacific Bell that are far too numerous to mention. Working at Turquoise Mountain, Baker, CA (where he developed a love for the desert), and offices in Anaheim, Orange and Placentia, CA held some of his fondest memories.

Dudley received many, many accolades in his lifetime, whether they were awards, honors, citation, trophies, medals, pins, plaques, statutes, com­mendation, laudatory notices; and because he was a humble, private man with this humility, he would never boast or speak of any of them, but he would always find a place for each one. He could rest on his laurels, but he never did.

Dudley loved his family. He was a quiet romantic, giving his wife deeply sentimental cards, sometimes slipping some handwritten poetry inside. Their love shined the brightest over the last few years. He loved, and was very proud of his two sons; one son who became a doctor, and who blessed him with four beautiful and unique grandchildren; and one son who had spent the last three years assisting in the care of his father while working full-time. He loved all the dogs he had owned and mourned when each had passed. Although Dudley resided in California since leaving the U.S. Army, he loved, missed, and remained dedicated to his family in Iowa, and was always anxious to hear the latest news from them.

Dudley was preceded in death by his infant brother, Marvin Miller in IA; his father, Osmond Miller in AK; his mother, Erma Miller in IA; his sisters, Doris Brafford, Delma Woolery and Deloris Nelson, all in IA; his brother, David Miller in IA.

Dudley is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son, Michael (Cherie') Miller in GA; his son, Anthony Miller in CA; his grandchildren, Jason Miller, Lauren Miller, Courtney Miller and Blake Miller, all in GA. His dog, "Aspen". His Sister, Dorinne DeGroote in IA; his nephews, Jim Tharp, Dickie Black, Jimmy Woolery, Wade DeGroote, Miles DeGroote, Paul Floyd, and Marlon Kronick, all in IA. His nieces, Susan Floyd, Denise Nord, Sandy Nelson, Orla Nelson, Belinda Nelson, Debbie Garner, Cindy Burr, Donna Smith, Dianna Miller, Cammy Hayes, Tracey Lehmann, Bobbi Kraber, all in IA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marlene Miller in IA; special family members, David E. Van Horn, in IA; and David D. Van Horn, in CA; as well as numerous "great" and "great-great" nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins, all in IA.

The following poem depicts Dudley's passing and reflects our feelings in losing him. We hope that it helps those who may miss him and grieve for him, too:

God looked around His garden

And found an empty space.

He then looked down upon the Earth

And saw your tired face.

He put His arm around you and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

He knew you were in pain,

He knew you might never get well on Earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills hard to climb.

So He closed your weary eyelids

and whispered "Peace be Thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

A Memorial Service for Dudley will take place in his hometown of Des Moines, IA at a later date.