James "Jim" W. Miller

            James (Jim) Miller of Seattle passed away in his home on Friday, September 2, 2022 after succumbing to cancer. He was 77 years of age.

            Born in Seattle in 1945, Jim attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Blanchet High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Seattle University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. He worked for the City of Seattle, Federal Way Water District and City of Everett as the Engineering Superintendent of Public Works. He was a member of multiple professional associations and received many awards and recognitions for his service and accomplishments, including a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Department of Health. Those with whom he worked remembered Jim for his character and integrity.

            A naturally gifted athlete, Jim was a four-sport letterman at Blanchet High School, and a key member of the 1963 state champion basketball team. He went on to play basketball at Seattle University. Throughout his life, he spent time in athletic activities as a participant, coach and referee. Over the past 14 years, he competed at the Huntsman World Senior Games where he won multiple medals in softball and basketball. Even up until his final months, he could be found on the sidelines of his grandchildren’s sporting events.

            In 1968, Jim married his high school sweetheart Gretchen Vogel, a 1962 graduate of Blanchet. Jim was a loving husband who cherished his wife. Together, they would raise six wonderful children. He considered their 54-year marriage the greatest of his many accomplishments.

            A lifelong faithful Catholic, Jim was a joyful parishioner at Blessed Sacrament in Seattle, Our Lady of the Lake, and St. Mark’s in Shoreline. He was an unmistakable presence, whether reading as a lector, singing in the pews, or arriving at Mass wearing his famous Easter necktie. He would generously volunteer his time to charitable organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul and 40 Days for Life. Jim was always eager to share the love of Christ with everyone he encountered and considered the Catholic Faith a priceless treasure with which he was entrusted to pass down to his children and grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents John and Elizabeth (Gibson), and brothers Michael and Joseph. He is survived by his wife Gretchen (Vogel), children Lance, Angela, Dominic (Janel), Peter (Regina), Theresa & Matthew (Kathryn), his 21 grandchildren, and his brothers John (Juiwanna) and Richard.

            A Funeral Mass for Jim will be held at 11:00am on Monday, September 12 at

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

8900 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115