Stanley Miller OBITUARY

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our father, Stanley A. Miller, who concluded an over five-year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) on April 7, 2024. He was born on February 25, 1946 in San Francisco, CA to John Miller, Jr of Lehr, ND and Dena Olga Nord of Napoleon, ND. He grew up as a Navy brat with his brothers, Ronald L. Miller (1945), and Wayne F. Miller (1951), moving to different Navy bases across the US following their father’s career. They lived in CA, HI, and KS, and ultimately settled in San Jose, CA where Stan attended Buchser High School. When Stan was 17 years old, he emulated his father and older brother, and enrolled in barber college where he had to quickly grow up to fit in with all the adults. After he graduated from high school in 1963, he enrolled in Foothill Community College and was a proud member of the Circle K Club. When a childhood friend, and sitting Circle K Social Chair, Bill Mattos, left school to join the Air Force, Stan filled the vacant Social Chair position where he found a new hobby and skill in planning social events. While in college, he met Blair Camp, who was an accomplished pilot and taught Stan to fly, nurturing another newfound passion. He finished his college education at San Jose State University in 1967 with a social sciences degree. He funded his education by cutting hair on the weekends, but was ready for a new challenge. After completing a ride-along with Art Mogilefsky, he decided to join the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). Stan relished his time with the SJPD where he met many of his lifelong friends and first started investing in Real Estate. He ultimately followed Art again to Lincoln Law School where he was determined to become a lawyer. He attended school at night and worked at SJPD during the day rising to the rank of Sergeant. He left the SJPD to work for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. After three years as a DA, he joined another SJPD buddy and fellow Lincoln Law School Alum, John Hinkle, and started Miller & Hinkle Attorneys in 1977. The law firm was particularly known for their annual New Year’s Eve party at the St. Clare Hotel inviting “600 of their closest friends.” Stan went on to get his Real Estate License and founded Homeland Properties which later became Miller & Hinkle Property Management. Our dad took a lot of pride from his many careers and always thought of himself as a barber, lawyer, pilot, police officer, and property manager. In 1977 he also met the love of his life, Leslie E. Garrels, owner and dance instructor at the Dance Affair in Santa Clara. After a six-month romance, they eloped and were married on June 4, 1978 in Reno, NV. After eight years of marriage, Stan and Leslie welcomed the birth of their first child, Adam A. Miller, in 1987. Shortly after the birth of his son, Stan decided that he wanted to work less and focus on being a father. In 1989, he retired from Miller & Hinkle, Leslie sold her dance studio, and they moved to Kihei, HI. In February 1991, Stan and Leslie celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lindsey E. Miller. Later that year, Leslie found a new passion for family counseling and took a position at Pransky & Associates, moving the family to LaConner, WA. Stan continued to invest in real estate while being heavily involved in his kids’ lives as a classroom volunteer, recreational sports coach, and substitute teacher. They moved to Seattle, WA in 2001 in search of expanded opportunities for their children. After 20 years in Seattle, they moved back north to Mount Vernon, WA to be closer to friends and their real estate investments. At the end of his life, Dad always enjoyed catching up with old friends from foothill college, the SJPD, and the Miller & Hinkle days, relaxing in nature and spending time with his family and friends. Stan is survived by his two brothers, Ron and Wayne, his wife Leslie of 45 years of marriage, and their two children, Adam and Lindsey. The burial was held on April 28, 2024 surrounded by close friends and family. A celebration of life is scheduled for September 7, 2024 in LaConner, WA.