Miller, Donald Rowland, Clifford DONALD KENT MILLER
1960-2021
Donald Kent Miller (“Kent”) passed away in Houston, TX, on September 15, 2021, at the age of 61, with his wife of more than twenty years, Pamela Hodgkinson Miller, and two of his daughters by his side. A devoted husband and father to five children, Kent will be remembered for his steadfast dedication to his family and community, and his love of music, long conversations, and the outdoors.
Born in Denver, CO on March 2, 1960, Kent was welcomed into the world by his parents Donald (“Don”) and Catherine (“Cathie”) Miller. Kent grew up alongside three siblings, his older brother Andy, and younger siblings Sally and John. The family of six lived in Arvada, CO and Middletown, NJ, before settling in Spring, TX. Kent attended Spring High School, where he distinguished himself as a talented athlete, student, and musician. He performed in the school band as a bassoonist, and his friends and family will fondly remember Kent’s talent as a singer and an avid performer. Kent was a gifted swimmer, setting multiple records at the Westador neighborhood pool. A proud Aggie, Kent attended Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. Following graduation, Kent lived in Midland, MI, Walnut Creek, CA, and Fullerton, CA. Kent then moved to Houston, TX, where he spent the majority of his adult life and raised his children.
Kent and Pam met in 1997, beginning a romance, friendship, and partnership for the history books. They wed on August 28, 1999. Together, they pursued their passion for music, travel, and cooking. A favorite pastime was welcoming loved ones into their warm and happy home for dinner parties that would last late into the evening. Friends and neighbors will fondly remember evenings at the Miller home, filled with laughter, good food (a lot of which was prepared by Kent), and story-telling (again, largely supplied by Kent). When dinner was long over, Kent could often be found sitting in the backyard perfecting the art of conversation with dear friends and family. His family will also remember Kent’s fondness for long walks, particularly the hike around the lake in Huntsville State Park. Kent was generous with his time, both as a friend and as an active member of his community. He served on multiple neighborhood civic associations and as the president of the Champions Park swim team.
Kent lived life to its fullest – pursuing wide-ranging interests and hobbies, which he shared with his family. He was adored by his five children and grandchild, who each sought to emulate Kent’s hobbies and passions in some way. Kent’s oldest children, Stephanie and Matt, took up the bassoon like their father. Stephanie inherited Kent’s love of telling stories and well-reasoned discussion, choosing a career as a trial lawyer. And like Kent, Matt pursued a career in science and engineering. Daughters Reagan and Kendall pursued music and theater, starring in multiple community theatre productions from Little Women, Les Misérables, and Beauty and the Beast. Reagan, a college freshman, is studying vocal performance. And all five of Kent’s children share his love for swimming, with daughter Hayden going as far as to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials and joining the U.S. National Junior swim team. The accomplishments of Kent’s five children – and more importantly the passion behind those accomplishments – were a point of pride for him, best evidenced by the broad grin that appeared on his face anytime he spoke of them, which was often. Even grandson, Jack, shares Kent’s love of flowers and nature, and will cherish the memories of planting tulips with his “Papa K.” Most importantly, Kent imparted to his children a certain zest for life – the notion that they should find their passions and pursue them fully. For that, they are each forever grateful.
Kent is preceded in death by his brother, Andrew Ralph Miller. He is survived by his wife, Pam, and their daughters Reagan Christine Miller, Hayden Kelly Miller, and Kendall Paige Miller; his daughter Stephanie Lynn Noble, her husband Ryan Noble, and their son, Jack; his son Matthew James Miller; the mother of his children Stephanie and Matthew, Suzanne Kilcoyne Miller; his parents Donald Gene and Catherine Miller; his sister Sally Miller Welch; his brother John Warren Miller and wife Stephanie Miller; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday the 25th of September at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 5830 Bermuda Dunes Dr, Houston, TX 77069. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Camp Hope, an organization to which Kent devoted countless volunteer hours.