Patrick Henry Allen Miller

Patrick Henry Allen Miller, 93, Kingsport, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed from this life on Saturday morning, October 18, 2014, exactly one month short of his 94th birthday.

Pat was a Sullivan County native, born to Myrtle and Pat Miller, the youngest of four children. He grew up in a warm and loving family that valued good food, good books, and good friends.

He lettered in several sports at Sullivan High School and Tusculum College, being the captain of the Tusculum football team during his stay there. He was inducted into the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Pat left Tusculum to enlist in the Marines. Pat was stationed in Honolulu and became a C-42 pilot in the Pacific theatre. The "Puss-in-Boots" Marine transport squadron held the distinction of "outdoing and outflying all other Marine transport units in the way of total ton miles flown, passenger miles and flying hours." At discharge, he was first lieutenant; he counted his Marine service (over 1400 flight hours logged) as one of the top honors of his life.

After the war, Pat and his life-long friend, B.O. Ripley tried their hands at both grocery and ice cream businesses before Pat returned to college on the GI Bill and completed his degree in accounting at the University of Florida. Reflecting his love for the mountains of East Tennessee, he returned to Kingsport and began his career at Holston Defense, later transferring to TEC. He retired as Senior Financial Associate in the Comptrollers Department.

He married Mildred Greenway, the love of his life in 1945 and they enjoyed 68 wonderful years together. They built a happy, full and rewarding life. Pat was active in volunteer work at his church, First Broad Street United Methodist, and also in the community. He gave his time generously to Civitan, to Meals on Wheels and to Junior Achievement. He was a member of the "Booners," an ad hoc gathering of men from the Greatest Generation who relied upon each other for fun and support, showing their children how to be good friends and citizens. He was totally devoted to supporting friends and family.

Our father was a strong man of principle yet a gentle soul. His love of all creation fueled an intense desire to learn as much as possible about nature. He amassed a wonderful wild flower garden over the years and delighted in sharing it with others. Pat was also a natural storyteller and a reciter of poetry. His family treasures the love, the laughter, and the whistled songs that always accompanied him.

Pat is survived by his three children, Pat Miller and wife, Ann Rice, Jan Boyd and husband, Wally Boyd, and Michael Miller; grandchildren, Jennifer Horvath, Emily Mercer, Laura Ann Singh, McClure Boyd, and Christopher Miller; and seven particularly beautiful and wonderful great-grandchildren; dear sister, Vivian Selby; sister-in-law, Jean Greenway; several nieces and nephews and their families always honored him with great fondness, Joe Selby, John Selby, David Selby, Harmon Greenway, Meg Windsor, Sallie Ledbetter, Letty Carr, Joel Holt, and Keith Holt.

The family would like to thank the staff at Asbury Place for the warmth and friendship he found there. Special caregivers Debbie Pickwell, Marsha Starnes, Karen Blevins, and Brenda Harper will always be remembered.

The memorial service will be at 2 pm on Wednesday at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with The Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. Visitation will follow in the church parlor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 East Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, or Meals on Wheels, 301 Louis St, Kingsport, TN 37660.