James Franklin Miller
1930-2020
James (Jim) Franklin Miller passed away on January 20, 2020.
Jim was born on his family’s farm off of Route 522 in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. on November 21, 1930, the son of Charles Edward Miller, Sr. and Mary Ethel Michael, Mr.
Miller was a true son of Morgan County.
He attended school at the one room Mt. Garfield School in Rock Gap. Leaving school in the 8th grade to help on his family’s farm.
He met the love of his life, Douglass Ellen Sensel Miller at the roller rink in Berkeley Springs, courting her before and during the time he was inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he worked as heavy equipment operator and later a Company Quarter Master.
Following Korea, he returned to Berkeley Springs, marrying Doug and raising two boys; James Franklin Miller, Jr. (of Hagerstown, Md.) and Craig Dennis Miller (of Berkeley Springs).
Jim was employed as a Chief Operator of production at DuPont Chemicals’ Potomac River Works plant throughout most of his adult life. He also worked for the State of West Virginia’s Racing Commission at Charles Town Races and for the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.
Jim was an ardent and lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party in Morgan County and West Virginia, receiving letters of thanks and recognition from President Kennedy and Governor Rockefeller, among many others.
An avid outdoorsman, Jim loved spending hours in his home garden, producing bushels of tomatoes and Silver Queen corn. He enjoyed swimming in his pool after a hard day or sitting for hours in his tree house waiting for turkey and deer with his hunting buddies.
He was an active member of the Berkeley Springs Legion, treating the place like a 2nd home for the last few years of his life.
A lifelong Catholic, Jim appreciated his visits with the lay preacher who would drive to his home each Sunday when he was no longer able to make it his pew at St. Vincent de Paul’s Church.
Jim loved nothing more than passing on his wisdom. Whether about how to care for your car, how to drive, how to ride a bike, how to swim, how to vote, how to fish or how to be a good and productive person, he was a man who knew the right way to do almost anything.
He will be greatly missed by his sons James Franklin Miller, Jr. and wife Terry Miller of Hagerstown, Md., and Craig Dennis Miller and wife Stacey Miller of Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; his granddaughters Jessica Ann Miller of Clear Spring, Md., and Taylor Nicole Miller Reid of Sharpsburg, Md., and his grandson Tyler Craig Miller of Huntington, W.Va.; and great grandchildren Owen Reid, Evan Reid and Eliana Reid, all of Sharpsburg, Md. In addition, Jim leaves behind many nieces and nephews, his sisters-in-law, and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Douglass Ellen Sensel who passed away just three months ago. He is also preceded in death by his brothers Bernard Miller, Carl Miller, Charles Miller, Jr., Alfred Miller, Robert Miller, Joseph Miller, Larry Miller and Dennis Miller, and his sisters Virginia Zettle and Mary Miller Haymaker.
The family would like to thank the ladies who cared for Jim and his wife Doug in their final years. Their kindness, patience and care were much appreciated.
Mass of Christian Burial was offered at 11 a.m. Friday, January 24, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Liberty & S. Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., with Rev. Fr. Mikee Lecias as Celebrant. Burial was Bethel Cemetery. Family received friends on Thursday, January 23, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Hunter Anderson Funeral Home, 36 S. Green Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
Arrangements by Hunter Anderson Funeral Home, 36. S. Green Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
paid obituary
