When David Lovell Miller walked into the room, those in his company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who David was and how he impacted those around him. David was a genuine and loving person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. These qualities made him successful in both his business and personal life. It was as if David wanted to share in their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their milestones.
He was the fourth son and sixth child of Lawrence and Karen Miller. David was born in Utah, and was raised in Utah, California, Arizona and Illinois, with special fondness for the Phoenix and Chicago areas. Always at the ready with a good joke, he grew up to be quite a humorous person. He had three brothers, Martin, Greg, and Mike Miller, and two sisters, Gwen Richardson, and Debbie Buchanan. David was very accepting and supportive of his family. Along with his wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, David drew the admiration of many who knew him.
As a young boy, David was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew him into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. David was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with his peers. He was almost always the first to jump in when it came to playing games or participating in other childhood activities. David took part in skateboarding, basketball, and hiking. He was involved in the Young Men’s group for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his spare time he was a home theater buff and enjoyed mixing and producing “sick beats”. David's memorable achievements included placing top 3 and sometimes winning in multiple amateur skateboarding competitions. David cultivated lifelong friendships thru his many hobbies and passions.
David attended high school in Arizona but he graduated from Downers Grove North High School outside of Chicago, Illinois in 1999. David was a good student, but the place where he enjoyed learning the most was at Church, particularly by his mentor - Scott Remy - who was the Young Men’s president for the Westchester, Illinois ward.
David was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. David was easygoing and approachable, making him easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. He always seemed aware of what was going on with people around him and throughout his life he made many, many friends. While growing up, some of his best friends were his brothers, Marty, Greg and Mike, Scott Corwin, McKay, Taylor and Jon Killpack. His skate crew in Arizona – Scott, Jason D, Travis, Matt, Bart, Jeremy, Brent, Roy, and Jason Q- were a special group of friends. David was able to stay in touch with his childhood friends but remained very close with Scott Corwin, McKay, Taylor and Jon Killpack, and his brother Mike Miller all throughout his life.
When David was 19, he embarked on a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Washington DC area. He loved the people he served and labored in both leadership and training of other missionaries. He made lifelong connections with many of the people in his service area, maintaining contact with them to present day.
Just two weeks after returning from his mission, David met the love of his life after spotting her across a crowded room at a Church dance. On July 18, 2003, David married Scovia Anyango Wanyama and they were sealed for time and all of eternity in the San Diego, California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David was often heard saying he hit the lottery when he found Scovia. David loved spoiling Scovia and his kids say “he treated her amazing!”
David and Scovia have four beautiful children together: Isaiah, 13; Jayden, 9; Eli, 7; and Imani, 4. David was a proud and loving father. His family was the center of his world. From taking his boys to the skateboard park, hiking at Mt. Charleston, going out to eat or going to the movies with his “crew”, David loved to brag to everyone about how “down” his sons are. In addition to hanging out with his boys he transitioned seamlessly into Imani’s Prince Charming, having tea parties with her, painting her nails and making up fun songs together. He was also a special part of his niece, Kamaria’s life. She looked up to him as a positive male figure in her life.
David excelled in his career as a business and investment banker. He spent the majority of his career at JP Morgan Chase, where he rose to the top of his field by earning multiple performance awards and was ranked in the top ten in annual performance in the entire west numerous times among his peers.
Outside of work, David took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. His favorite pursuits were skateboarding, skateboarding videography, movies, home theater set up, collecting Nixon watches, hiking in the mountains and producing "dope beats”. David had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of his favorite pastimes. However, David's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.
On top of his passions for skateboarding, music and hiking, David was a rabid Utah Jazz fan. He loved going to and watching Jazz games with his family. Throughout his later years, David was a coach for youth basketball, including coaching his son, Isaiah’s team. David also spent a lot of time serving in numerous capacities for his church.
David enjoyed traveling with his family. Favorite vacations included a Caribbean Cruise with Scovia, visiting family and friends in San Diego, California, Idaho Falls, and Utah. He also enjoyed hiking and camping trips with his family and friends.
David was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He especially loved Charlie, the Multi-Poo and Copper, the wiener dog.
David Miller passed away on December 8, 2018 at Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada unexpectedly due to complications from his failing health. He is survived by his wife, Scovia, his children, Isaiah, Jayden, Eli, and Imani. His memory will continue to be cherished by his large extended family and many dear friends. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas, Nevada. David was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.
