Mason Miller Jr.

Mason Miller Jr., of Roanoke, died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Pleasant Ridge Nursing Center where he resided from April 11 to December 9, 2008 . He is survived by his wife, Helen Gregory Miller. He was born in Roanoke on March 23, 1917, the son of Mason Miller Sr. and Maggie Lee Miller. He was educated in Roanoke Public Schools and was a 1935 graduate of Jefferson Senior High School. He was in the class of 1939 at Roanoke College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Mason served in World War II as a United States Naval Officer. Joining the Naval Reserve in 1941, he was commissioned as an ensign in 1942 at Northwestern University. He served on the following ships in the Pacific: U.S.S. Helena CL50 (sank in a night surface engagement on July 13, 1943); U.S.S. Houston CL 81 (nearly sank in engagements near Formosa, now Taiwan); and the U.S.S. Nassau CVE16. Post World War II service was in the Roanoke Naval Reserve, where he was the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Surface Division 5-22 from December, 1951 to December 1954, and retired as Lieutenant Commander.
He was a 50 year member and served a term as president of the Kiwanis Club of the Roanoke Valley, and served as Lieutenant Governor, 2nd Division, Capital District, Kiwanis International in 1966. Served as president of the Roanoke Valley Chapter, Retired Officers Association in 1987 (now SWVA Chapter MOAA). He was an active member of the Virginia Heights Baptist Church for over 50 years. Mason served as both a Deacon and Departmental Sunday School Superintendent. His current membership was at Colonial Avenue Baptist Church. Mason served three times as president of the Roanoke Association of Credit Men. He served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau, Roanoke Merchants Association and the Board of Governors of the Jefferson Club. He was Credit Manager of the Roanoke branches of the Noland Company where he retired in June 1983. Upon retirement he served on a United Way Committee and as a certified arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Gregory Miller; sons, David M. Miller, of Washington D.C., and Alan L. Miller, of Woodstock, Ga.; special friends, Bonnie E. Dobbs and her son, Dustin A. Dobbs, of Woodstock, Ga.; a brother-in-law, R.E. Oliver; nephew, R.E. Oliver Jr., both of Portsmouth, Va.; a nephew, Michael L. Miller, of Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; greatniece, Sydney Oliver; and great-nephew, R.E. Oliver III, of Chesapeake, Va. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Mattie D. Miller; and a sister, June M. Oliver.
A sincere thank you to all the employees of Pheasant Ridge Nursing Center and special regards to Brenda Cox for her loving care.
Private funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Light with entombment at Evergreen Burial Park with Dr. Jeff Scott officiating. The family suggest that memorials be made to Colonial Avenue Baptist Church, 4165 Colonial Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24018 or the Bradley Free Clinic, 1240 3rd Street, S.W., Roanoke, Va. 24016.