John Miller

John Irvine (Johnny) Miller passed away Thursday, July 29th at the age of 66. He was born on April 15th, 1955 in Dayton, Ohio to parents John Irvine Miller (deceased) and Peggy (Klackner) Murphy and step-father William J. Murphy (deceased).

Johnny is survived by his wife Juana Cristina Miller, step-children Elisa, Jesus, America; step-grandchildren, Bryan, Ailton, Laila, Luna and Sky; his mother Peggy Murphy, his brothers Bill Murphy (Todd Holland), Lawrence, KS, and, Dan Murphy (Colleen), Claremont, CA; sister Joy Ney (Rick), Germantown, OH; step-sister Kathy Murphy, Centerville, OH; as well as cousins, nieces, great nieces and great nephew in Ohio and California.

After graduating from Springboro High School in 1973, Johnny’s life took him to California, the oil fields of Iraq, Hawaii, Colorado and countless other places across the U.S. He moved back briefly to Ohio on a couple of occasions in the 1980’s and the early 90's but quickly returned to Denver, which was as much of home to him as anywhere. In Denver, he met Cristina and, after knowing each other for more than 17 years, they married in 2016.  He loved her and her family as if they were his own. He was an avid baseball fan, a master bartender, and a gifted storyteller.

Diabetes eventually forced Johnny into an assisted care facility and COVID-19 kept him from having any visitors over the last year. His mother was able to visit with him in March and his wife was able to visit frequently before his passing. He was loved by his family and will be missed.

If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone, who keep
long vigils by the silent dust, and weep.
For my sake – turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I, perchance may therein comfort you.

--Mary Lee Hall