Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Samuel Grant Miller was born June 12, 1955, in The Dalles, Ore., to John and Maxine (Benson) Miller. He passed away Jan. 29, 2017, at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore.
Sam grew up on Fivemile, outside of The Dalles, and the family moved to Moro, Ore., in 1971. He graduated from Sherman High School in 1974. During high school he participated in athletics and rodeo. After his schooling he worked numerous jobs, including driving truck for the Tindall Family in Portland. Following that he worked for the Sherman County Road Department for 26 years and was road master for a portion of that time. Sam also started his own excavation business of which he was very proud.
Sam married Jennifer O’Connell Nov. 3, 1979, and they had two sons, whom he loved dearly and they loved him as well.
When not working, Sam enjoyed supporting his sons in all their athletic events, elk hunting with his family and reminiscing about his years growing up. He felt privileged to have been raised by and around the “old timers.”
Sam spent countless hours volunteering in various ways, including the Moro and Wasco Fire departments, serving as chief for part of those years. He also served two terms as elder for the Moro Community Presbyterian Church and coached Little League, as well as lending his talents to various community projects.
Sam lived life his way and at his own pace. All who knew him knew what that pace was.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his sons; Justin and his wife Alyssa of Moro Ore.; Charles and his fiancé Brennah of Wasco Ore.; and his blue heeler Bonnie.
He is also survived by his sister Linda Wilson and her husband John and his twin brother Johnny (Humpy), all of The Dalles. Also surviving is his nephew Marshal Waddington and his wife Traci and their children Brianna and Dillon. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, including Dorothy Benson of Moro; cousin Fred Benson and his family of Grass Valley, Ore.
Services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday Feb. 4, 2017, at Spencer, Libby, and Powell in The Dalles.
Following the service will be a celebration with food and drink served at the Civic Auditorium in The Dalles, Ore.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Sherman County Athletic Foundation or to the Celilo Fund (cancer treatment facility that took care of Dad) 1800 E 19th, Street, The Dalles, Ore. 97058.
