Howard Theodore Miller was born November 12, 1930 and died June 4, 2023, at the age of 92.
Ted grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1950 and moved to Florida with his family. He joined the Marines and completed boot camp at Parris Island.
After leaving the Marines, Ted went to work for Bell Telephone Company in Santa Fe. While working in New Mexico he met and married Jacqueline Gibson in 1954. They moved to Bauman, North Dakota where Ted had been transferred. He returned to Osceola County in the late 50s. He went to work for the City of Kissimmee as a lineman, running the first bucket truck owned by the City in 1957. In 1966, he started Miller’s Tree Service and served Osceola County resident until 1990.
Ted was a devoted man of God and a faithful servant as member of the First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee. He served as head usher, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Trustees, and served on a missions team to Haiti. He also volunteered many hours maintaining the trees on the church property in Kissimmee. For many years, Ted took a tree crew to the Warren Willis United Methodist Camp in Leesburg where he donated a week’s worth of time to tree care and maintenance.
Ted loved the outdoors and especially being on the water. He was an avid boater and water skier. He was a member of the Central Florida Cruise Club, Toho Yacht Club and served as a director for the Kissimmee
Boat-a-cade. On numerous occasions Ted would slalom ski from one navigation lock to the next, about 10 miles, which was 50 miles in total. His last boat ride was in November 2022, going on a sunset cruise in Crystal River celebrating his granddaughter Kaley’s wedding.
For the last seven years, Ted’s loving companion has been Patricia Harden. This chapter of his life was joy-filled with great memories and adventures. Simply put, they loved each other and enjoyed their time with family and friends.
He is survived by two children: Ted (Victoria) Miller of Fairfield, Idaho and Jack (Kimberly) Miller of St. Cloud, Florida; two grandchildren: Kaley (Seth) Miller Wilkes and Austin Miller; and three great grandchildren: Sean, Isaiah and Zayne.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rhea Miller Bowman and William Joseph Miller, sister Clara Miller Argenbright, and brothers Robert H. Miller and Glenn Wampler Miller.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from 5-7 pm at Roger C. Thompson Memorial Chapel, Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741.
A funeral services will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 1 pm, at the First Methodist Church of St. Cloud, 1000 Ohio Ave, St Cloud, FL 34769, with Reverend Cathy Thacker officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by the Osceola County Veterans Council.
A Celebration of Life Meal will follow at the Fellowship Hall on the church campus.