Jack Junior Miller

Jack Junior Miller, age 91, a longtime community member of Valencia County, passed away September 20, 2017. He was a family man, farmer, civil/ structural/hydraulic engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers and a veteran of the Korean War.

Much of his youth was spent punching cattle on the then open-range of Albuquerque’s NE Heights and doing custom tractor and landscaping work throughout the valley. Later, in Valencia County, he bred Hereford cattle and produced horse and cow feed crops.

While raising his own family, he cared for his parents and in-laws, worked full time, worked toward a master’s degree, farmed and was an active community member. He participated in his children’s exploits, shared farm life with students and family and helped people with their needs. He was married and divorced twice. His deep faith in Christ was practiced both privately and in the Presbyterian Church. He was an animal lover, and they loved him. He was an avid Lobo fan. He was a past president of the New Mexico Young Republicans and the Professional Engineers Association as well as a member of numerous other professional and community associations. In community forums, he shared his ideas on future water and land usage, infrastructure, community development, flood control and environment preservation and safety.

The "Box Culvert" that he designed is used in many applications including bridges. Many of his designs are found in military applications and in New Mexico and Colorado dams, floodways, and drainage systems. Several earned him recognition for superior designs and cost savings.

He is survived by his children, Jeri, Jay and Janet Miller; cousins, Gene Grey and Carolyn Ogle; niece Darla Dorzok; nephew, Russell (Zeke ) Shoop; grandsons, Dylan and Marcus Miller; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

His mom said he never knew a stranger as a boy: that never changed; he always had time to help, catch up on things and tell a good tale.

We celebrate his life and his rich legacy of family, friends and contributions to our lives!