Obituary of Keith Miller

On Sunday, September 27, 2020, R. Keith Miller, an amazing man, friend, coworker, mentor, husband, and father, received a summons which he could not ignore. He had read books about heaven, and had dreamed about it for many years. He had wondered what it would be like.

He had no fear of death. And when threats to his earthly life such as prostate cancer and the recent pandemic emerged, he calmly took it all in stride…just as he did just about everything in life. Such was the powerful faith that infused Keith’s entire being.

In Keith’s own words: “I am at peace with whatever God decides to do with me; he can take me home anytime.”

But it wasn’t prostate cancer or COVID-19 that abruptly yanked Keith away from his loved ones and into the arms of his beloved Creator—it was a massive tear in his aorta which took his life almost instantly, with little or no suffering. It happened during a nondescript but enjoyable weekend which had already included a long motorcycle ride and lunch with friends.

A Godly man has now met God face to face, but our faces are still stained with tears.

Keith visited us here on this earth for 80 years, starting on March 17, 1940, when he was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to T.J. and Iris Miller. Just about everyone who ever knew him was glad they did. He was forthright and unfailingly honest, kind and generous to a fault, and his life’s goal was to become more and more like Jesus, which he did. Those closest to him found him an indispensable part of their hearts, and now that he has moved on, we feel staggered, bewildered, and at sea…but we know he would want us to find our footing in the same way he found his.

Keith was preceded in death by his first wife, Rothalea Rudd Miller, who died in 1986, and his sister Sharon Fitzpatrick, who died in 1972. He is survived by his wife Linette Miller, his siblings Liz Harvey and Rob Miller, his four children, Shannon, Godwin, Erin, and Morgan; five grandsons, Simeon, Seth, Donovan, Lincoln, and T.J., many good friends, a few music groups, some mentees, numerous Boy Scouts, and more.

A service of remembrance for Keith will be held on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 4:00 PM at Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Parker, Colorado. Livestreaming of the services will be available for those unable to attend the event in person. Viewing will be available prior to the service, starting at 3:00 PM. All who wish to are welcome to attend; if the sanctuary capacity (with social distancing restrictions) is exceeded, an overflow area will be available where a feed of the service can be watched. The service will be live streamed on-line at https://pepc.online.church/. Linette and the family invite you to join them in person or on-line, whichever works best. A greeting link will be provided for you to share your care for the family from the on-line broadcast as well.  

 Memorial contributions in Keith's honor can be made to the PEPC Missions Fund: https://pepc.org/give/, or to Ottawa University, towards the Rudd Family scholarship: https://www.ottawa.edu/

To reserve an in-person seat at the funeral and be sure we can have accurate contact-tracing information in case of an outbreak, please fill out this form: https://keith-miller-celebration-parker-evangelical-presbyterian.pushpayevents.com/