J. David Miller

J. David Miller, 82, of Kansas City, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008. A memorial service will be held this Thursday, July 10th, at the Overland Park Christian Church at 7600 West 75th Street. Visitation with the family begins at 3:30 p.m. A Recognition and Celebration of Dave Miller’s life begins at 4:30 p.m. Dave Miller was truly an extraordinary man. A gifted architect. A loving husband, companion, father and grandfather. A ragtime piano player. An accomplished choir singer. An avid gardener and Orchid Society member and judge. Exceptionally active in the community and industry. But most of all, an over- the-top funny guy. He could make anyone laugh, and everyone smile. His ability to connect with people is what drove his success, in whatever role or circumstance. He was loved by everyone. Born in 1926 to Maria Frances (Fanny) and Karl Miller of Independence, MO., Dave was the 4th of 5 children, 4 brothers and 1 sister – George, Wally, Peggy and Charles. After serving in the Army in WWII, Dave returned home to attend the University of Kansas where he studied architecture as a member of Scarab Architectural Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Fraternity, and charter member of Tau Sigma Delta Honorary Architectural Fraternity. Dave then taught at K.U. and worked on the University Building Program planning staff. In 1952, Dave married Diana Riner, and began a family with the birth of their first son, Mark, in 1954. Their second son, Bret, was born in 1957. In 1955, Dave joined the Architecture Firm of Donald R. Hollis as an Associate. In 1959, Don Hollis and Dave Miller created Hollis and Miller Architects and Engineers. Over the next 27 years, Hollis and Miller became one of the area’s most recognized Architectural firms, designing hundreds of buildings in the Kansas- Missouri-Nebraska and Iowa region. With a large emphasis on schools, notable clients of Hollis and Miller include the Shawnee Mission and Hickman Mills school districts, the Johnson County Community College, and the University of Kansas. Hollis and Miller Architects is still in business today, 49 years later, testimony to the business model created by its’ founders. Of keen interest to Dave was the Overland Park Christian Church, where he and his family were members. Located half-way between home and work, this building received Dave’s hands-on, personal design touch. It’s only fitting Dave’s Memorial Service will be held there. Immediate survivors to Dave Miller include his younger brother Chuck and his wife Linda Sue, and their children Chris and David – son Mark and his wife Pam, and their son Curt Stafford – son Bret and his companion Judy, along with his daughters Rachael Spears, Emilee, Jessica, Jenna and Josie Miller. Also surviving is Steve and Jeffrey Miller, children of his brother Wally – Ron, Greg, Gary and Jenny Sue, children of his brother George – Keith, Terry Don, Carol and Donna, children of his sister Peggy – and all of their respective families spread out from Florida to Oregon. Of special note is Bill Greggs, with whom Dave spent the last 4 years of his life. The family is so very grateful that Dave attended a family reunion in Florida, June 27th – 29th, and will forever cherish his love and laughter. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions in Dave Miller’s name made to the University of Kansas: Gift Processing Department, KU Endowment School of Architecture and Urban Planning, PO BOX 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.