Gene L. Miller

Gene L. Miller born on June 10, 1931, the third son of Scott and Lessie Miller in Walla Walla, Wash. He died on Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at his home in Stanfield at the age of 75 years.

He attended schools in Walla Walla including Berney Elementary, Wa Hi, Whitman College and Walla Walla Basin College.

At 16, Gene enlisted in the National Guard in Walla Walla. He attended National Guard in Walla Walla, Spokane, Fort Lewis, Fort Benning, Ga., and San Diego, Calif.

He received many awards for his expert rifle marksmanship. He retired as a major after 22 years. Gene continued his marksmanship with several years of trap shooting.

Gene married Virginia Danielson on March 11, 1951. Gene always wanted to farm, his first farm was a dairy in Lowden, Wash. He bought a combine and did custom wheat harvesting to get started. They moved to Moses Lake in 1957 and continued farming.

In 1971, he purchased Ross's Tavern in Odessa, and was operating it during the first Odessa Deustsches Fest.

They moved to Hermiston in 1974 and Gene worked for several years for Union Collier as an Agricultural Consultant. He had several jobs in Hermiston and he was working for the Stanfield School District when he retired.

In Moses Lake Gene was a member of the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association and served as President. He was a also member of Grant County Sheriff's Posse and on the Grange Board of Directors.

They purchased a home in Stanfield and Gene served on the Stanfield Planning Commission, and the Stanfield City Council. He ran for mayor of Stanfield in 1978. Gene was a member of Stanfield Moose Lodge, Hermiston Elks Lodge, Hermiston American Cribbage Grass Roots Club and was proud of his "29 Award" given to him.

In the last few years he was a member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited. Gene loved to hunt and fish. He had a cabin on Sproul Lake near John Day and spent many years enjoying friends and family in the outdoors.

Gene was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Miller and a grandson Sean Griggs.

Gene is survived by his wife, Virginia of Stanfield; son Cody Miller of Walla Walla; two daughters, Cindy Griggs and Colleen Winfrey both of Hermiston, Ore.; brother, Floyd Miller of Walla Walla; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A Graveside Service with Military Honors by the National Guard will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla. A Memorial Service will follow at 2 p.m. on Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Hermiston, Ore. Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the Vange John Memorial Hospice of Hermiston.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.