Dean Jeffrey Miller

Dean Jeffrey Miller July 13, 1951 - December 6, 2007 Prominent trial lawyer, Dean J. Miller, 56, of Bakersfield, CA departed this life on December 6, 2007 from complications of kidney disease and intestinal cancer. He fought a courageous, six-week battle. Dean was born in his beloved Chicago, Illinois, to Philip Albert (deceased) and Renee Miller. He was extremely devoted to his grandparents, Jacob and Ann Bain Miller (both deceased) of Chicago. He is survived by the love of his life, Paula Kohlhaas Miller, his devoted wife and soulmate; his mother, Renee Zaks and stepfather, Henry Zaks of San Diego, CA.; his sister, Mary Zaks Koerner of Cardiff-by-the Sea, CA; his children, Kristy Miller Yannone and her husband, Herbert of Bakersfield; Benjamin Miller of Bakersfield and Jacob Miller of Las Vegas, NV; Kevin Miller predeceased him; his ultimate joy and grandchildren, Herby and Kassidy Yannone and Riley Alexis Miller; his devoted brother-in-law, Henry Kohlhaas of Cadiz, Kentucky; and nephews, Nathan, Ira and Cpl. Adam Kohlhaas, USA; brother-in-law, Leonard Kohlhaas and wife, Vered of Israel; their children, Roni, Ori and Gal; his former wife, Susan Zapper and mother-in-law, Mary Hamm of Las Vegas, NV; his lifelong friend, Dr. Charles Ruffino of Bakersfield and Diane and Gregory Swoboda of Huntingtown, MD. Dean graduated from high school in Chicago and The American University, Washington, DC with a BS in Political Science. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity and an Intern for Senator Edmund Muskie and the United States Senate. Dean engaged in numerous Golden Gloves Boxing matches during these years. He was accepted to the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate and began his lifelong dream of practicing law and protecting the rights of others. Dean was licensed to practice law in Hawaii, California, Illinois and the District of Columbia. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the California State Bar and the United States Supreme Court. He was an attorney for the Washington, D.C. Public Defender's Office and thereafter came to Bakersfield in 1977 to work on a case and never left! He accomplished his dream by developing a successful private practice and being the champion of those who could not defend themselves. Dean was a gifted and formidable advocate for the accused and an extremely effective trial lawyer. He won countless court battles on behalf of his clients and stood tall as a beacon of justice. Dean was renowned for his courtroom prowess and was highly respected by colleagues, prosecutors and judges. Dean loved the Chicago Cubs; traveling, especially to Hawaii and Chicago for the Cubs' Opening Day. He loved professional boxing, Frank Sinatra and all the memorabilia; a fully loaded Chicago Nathan hot dog; White Castle slider burgers; Gullivers Pizza; and he enjoyed his quiet time in Ventura on his boat. A funeral service to celebrate Dean's life will be held Monday, December 17, 2007, 4:00 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Rd. Visitation is scheduled Sunday, December 16th, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., at Greenlawn Mortuary Southwest. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. John's Lutheran Church.

This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.