Mark Kennedy Miller

Mark K. Miller came into this world on August 6, 1971, and took his last breath on April 7, 2025. Although he is not here physically, his impact on those who knew him, and even those who didn’t, will go on forever. Mark, or Sparkie as the family called him, did not have children, although his nieces and nephews filled in that space beautifully.

Above all, Mark loved Yeshua (Jesus) and shared that love with others. His true identity was a painter- but not just any painter- He created art with deep messages, capturing the Lord’s sovereignty, in his ministry called God’s Paintbrush.

Mark was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, a man who rescued animals, and helped the needy. Mark always had a kind word of encouragement to offer and prayed for others.

Mark touched the lives of thousands during his lifetime, with kindness and encouragement. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he served over 60,000 people at the Food Bank in Devine, TX, praying for them and offering hope. This was a testament to his servant’s heart. He spoke at veterans’ meetings and conferences providing insight and comfort.

All his family, including his mom, Jane Louise Miller and his dad, Larry J Miller MD, his brother Larry J Miller Jr, his sisters, Michelle Helms, Melissa Laster and Bianca Nelson, his many nieces and nephews and hundreds of friends knew they could count on Mark and knew he loved them. He was the most gentle, kind, and caring human they had ever known.

At age 21 he joined the Navy serving as Master of Arms on the nuclear aircraft carrier, the George Washington for 6 years. Right after 911 he rejoined the Navy to serve in a more significant way as a sniper in the Mobile Security Force (Special forces). He served under extreme hardship in some of the most dangerous situations in the Middle East and South America.

After 15 years of exemplary service, he developed herniated discs in his back and was transferred to Kingsville Naval Station where he suffered from PTSD and depression. The Navy placed him on Prozac, a mind-altering drug, which triggered a suicide attempt. By a miracle of God, he was rescued from certain death.

In 2021 he wrote a book, Suicide Stalks the Sniper about his near-death experience and lessons learned, as a way to help those who may be contemplating suicide and families of Veterans with depression and PTSD.

On April 1, 2025, severe depression once again engulfed him and he went to the VA for help, wanting to be admitted for treatment. Instead of the care he deserved, after just 5 minutes of consultation, the provider gave him a bottle of mind-altering drugs. Mark texted to his family, “I just left my VA appointment at Audi Murphy – look how nice they are, they prescribed me Seroquel. Wow! How nice. Did not even listen to my story – just like a robot that hands out poison to every soldier. I should call KSAT 12 news and tell them that they are murdering our heroic men and women. They did not even listen to anything I said – just prescribed stuff. Unreal. It is a crime.”

Seven days later, at 12:30 pm he texted his family and said, “I love you very much and I always will.” A couple of minutes later at Audi Murphy VA hospital, he shot himself as a powerful message to the VA and the world about the terrible injustice he had received.

Mark gave his life to speak to the thousands of veterans who have no voice and to the thousands who have been neglected by the VA system.

His last wish, and the overarching wishes of his family are to initiate major changes at the VA mental health system-to stop handing out dangerous drugs to the veterans as a band aid on a deadly wound. Start treating them with the care and dignity that they deserve. Offer them alternative treatments of their choice outside of the VA system that they can use without having to pay out of their own pockets.

In Mark’s own words:

“I have taken my last breath in this temporal world. Do not cry for me, but rather cry for yourselves, because you are still struggling in this world. The angels look down from heaven and they are cheering for your soul to win. Don't let God down.”

“People can rise up and do and have amazing things, like the Olympics, sports, dancing, money, power, and so on, but in the end what does it matter? It goes back to why you do things and with what intent and purpose. All Glory should go to the Lord. Any glory that people try to attain in this life will eventually fade away. Let he that boasts, boast in the Lord.”

“Good luck with the rest of your life. Remember every second counts, every word counts, every breath counts.”

“Please read together: Hebrews 9:29, Mark 16:16, 1Corinthians 13 and Jeremiah 33:3”

Love always, Sparkie