Lt. Col. Avery John Miller

About

University of Arizona

Avery Miller Obituary

Lt. Col. Avery John Miller (USAF/Retired) Avery John, "A.J." to friends, passed away March 2, 2011 with his wife by his side at St. Joseph's Hospice after a losing battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Clarion, PA, August 2, 1922. He has five surviving brothers, Chick, Dick and Ron of Clarion, Jack of Orlando, FL and Emery of Columbus, OH and sisters, Beverly Redick of Callensburg, PA and Marilyn Moriarty (Robert) of Allentown, PA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 and moved on to the U.S. Army Air Corps becoming a radar operator serving in the South Pacific as a member of the P-61 Black Widow 548th Night Fighter Squadron. On June 20, 1945 he survived his plane being shot down for which he received a Purple Heart but didn't get until 1991. After a 30-year career he retired at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1970 as the Squadron Commander of the 4457th CCR Trg Sq, the first non-pilot to have gained that privilege. After WWII he received his teaching degree from Clarion University, and his Masters in education from the University of Arizona. He taught Social Studies at Santa Rita High where he was department chairman upon his retirement after 14 years. He was predeceased by first wife, Martha, mother of son, Lance (Brenda) of Colorado Springs, CO and daughter, Nancy Watkins (Clint) of Ahwatukee, AZ. He leaves behind grandchildren, Eric, Scott and Ryan and great-grandchildren, Luke and Cole. He was married for 16 years to wife, Tiffany, enjoying golf and traveling to many lands via planes, trains and many cruises. He was also a proud member of MOAA, Tucson Eastside Elks Lodge #2532, the Masonic Lodge, VFW and was a past commander of the Clarion American Legion. Funeral arrangements are by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL. A Memorial Service will be held at the DMAFB Desert Dove Chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011 with a reception to be held immediately following at the Mirage Club Daedalion Room on base. (Plan to get a pass at entrance first.) In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia, Tucson, AZ 85706.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Avery Miller

6 Entries

Larry and Carole Schmidt

March 10, 2024

Avery was a wonderful colleague. He truly cared about his students and set high standards for them! High expectations and standards, that was his gift to all who knew him. RIP
Larry and Carole Schmidt

Bob & Jerry Remilnger&Siderius

March 12, 2012

LtCol A.J. Miller was a SUPERIOR Air Force officer who loved his country and signed a blank check as its' defender from the WWii era through Korea and through Vietnam to include all the skirmishes that occurred in the intervening times. Captain A.J. Miller was a flight Commander in the 3565th Flying Training Squadron when we first met. Upgrading from basic navigator as a Radar Intercept Officer(RIO) in 1959, we became instructors Captain Miller's personal experience in flying in WWII night fighters was invaluable. His positive attitude was contagious to young lieutenants as we were offered Regular Air Force commissions due in part to our emulation of the example he personally set. When Air Force closed the James Connally training, it was shortly re constituted to train Weapons Systems Officers (WSO's) for the F-4 at Mac DIll AFB in Florida. Many of the former RIO instructors were tapped and re assigned.to the new school. Shortly thereafter the training was moved to Davis -Monthan AFB , Tucson AZ and then LtCol. A.J. Miller was the Commander . This was a UNIQUE COMMAND as Colonel Miller's squadron included both fighter pilots and Weapons System Officers ( Navigators, upgraded to fighters). It just didn't happen that a Navigator/RIO/WSO commanded pilots in a FLYING SQUADRON. He was QCTIVE with his squadron officers & led by example. He kept in shape by running 2 to3 times a week around the perimeter of the alert parking area ( SAC used for alert aircraft) in dry heat , sometimes well over 100 degrees! We never had another commander who took 20 to 30 minutes at noon to shoot hoops with us. Social times most of the time included the Millers and many of the instructors & their wives. We can, collectively, remember after a hard days, meeting for dinner and a "family" style evening -never BIG PLANS, just a working leader and men who respected more than the silver leaves he wore on his collar. HE IS MISSED!! Sir, you are CLEARED FOR TAKE_OFF --- WITH OUR BLESSINGS. LtCol. Bob & Gayle Remlinger and LtCol, Jerry & Barbara Siderius

H. A. Rivers

December 19, 2011

I've just heard of A.J.'s passing. I first met him in 1959 when I graduated from the 3565th NTS F-89 program in Waco, Texas.
There were several of us new 2nd lieutenants assigned to be instructors and we were extremely fortunate to serve under A.J., who was a major at that time. A.J. had flown the P-61 Black Widow in WWII and so, of course, we viewed him as being on the same heroic level as Steve Canyon! He took a special interest in our small group and, in addition to being our section commander, tutored us in many other important ways, such as how to avoid unwanted trouble at the 1961 Nightfighter's Association convention in Washington D.C. We visited every one of the several hospitality suites, imbibed a bit too much, and thought some very attractive young ladies who were also enjoying the suite bars were impressed with us. A.J. set us straight about those 'very attractive young ladies".
We served in the F-89 outfit four years together and then our group was broken up, some assigned to the F-4C at McDill AFB (A.J. was) and some to F-101B units in the Air Defense Command (I was). Two years later the 4453rd F-4 wing was relocated to Tucson, AZ and our small group was brought together again there at Davis-Monthan AFB, and again we were assigned to serve under A.J. At that time the war was escalating and the F-4 training became more demanding, but it was again a privilege to serve under A.J. during those years.
A.J. took care of his guys. He didn't always win his battles in trying to do so, but you knew he always did his best. I haven't seen him in almost 20 years, but I shall miss him. He was a very special man who had a very important influence on me. My life has been better for having known him.

Check six...

H.A. (Al) Rivers

Pat O'Buck

March 28, 2011

Saddened by the news. .Pat

Karyn Veres

March 14, 2011

I loved having Mr. Miller as my high school teacher and use some of his sayings with my own kids - "It will behoove you to pick up your room" - this was a word often used in class - he was a great teacher who inspired me to do my best and used humor to keep me engaged. I have spoken to him many times since high school and I will miss him.

Karyn Veres

March 13, 2011

Carole and I were saddened to hear of Avery's passing and our prayers are with Tiffany and his family. We worked with Avery at Santa Rita High School and came to respect AJ as both an educator and a person. We served on the SR Instructional Council together and when discussions became heated Avery could always be counted on to provide valued direction or at least a humorous saying to lighten the tone! We will be unable to attend the service but out thoughts and prayers will be with those in attendance. Larry Schmidt

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results