Gus S. Miller Jr.

MILLER Jr., Gus S.
Age 84, went home into the arms of his Lord, Jesus Christ on March 21st, 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered 2 years ago. As always, his family was by his side, sharing stories and memories of his impact on our lives and the lives of others. Gus was born in Sacramento as a 5th generation descendant of Henry Miller, an early Sacramento Pioneer who was a Banker at the old D.O. Mills Bank on 7th & J streets during the 1850's. During this time Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker formed the Central Pacific Railroad Company and were helping to build the first Transcontinental Railroad. The bank was instrumental in financing its construction. Gus was proud of his Sacramento family heritage and history.
Gus attended elementary and secondary schools in Stockton, California, graduating from the original Stockton High School in Feb, 1938. Gus attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy then graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Gus was a Navy Veteran and served on the Destroyer USS Abbott during World War II.
Gus worked for Aerojet General Corp during the 1960's space program and received numerous awards for his dedication to "zero defects" and excellence. He published "Categorization of Human Errors in Rocket Engine Testing" in 1961 and was known for his leadership in quality control. He retired from Aerojet in 1975 and worked for the County until retiring in 1980. It was in 1981 that he began his Volunteer work at Valley High School first with "Young Life" as a volunteer leader and then as a mentor and zero period tutor for over 20 years.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Barbara Miller, Daughters Lonnie (Chris) Fellersen, Joany (Ron) Buzzard, Paula (Gary) Johnson and 11 grandchildren: Danica, Joel, Andrea, Ethan, Deborah, Joshua, Abigail & Elijah Fellersen - Justin (Taylor), and Mark Buzzard - and Lynn Johnson.
Gus was active, involved and living independently up until his stroke at age 82. His interests over the years involved Ski Patrol at Heavenly Valley, Sailing on Tomales Bay, Sports Car Racing, Flying Gliders as a lifetime member of the Soaring Society of America, building elaborate model trains and most significantly involvement with 'Young Life'. His love of youth and desire to help them was evidenced by years of working with Young Life in the Elk Grove area, mentoring kids at Valley High School and willingness to tutor kids in math, or just be a listening ear. His greatest joy and wish has been for kids to be cared about by a significant adult and learn that Jesus loves them and wants a personal relationship with them. Gus was honored in 2000 for Volunteer of the Year by the Elk Grove Unified School District for his 21 years of service to kids at Valley High School. As an article in the Elk Grove Citizen from 9/8/2000 states: "He has tutored more students during these years than he can remember or even estimate in numbers. He spends every day in the quad area during lunch periods. Students gravitate in his direction, seeking advice on difficult academic and/or life situations they are experiencing. Gus has always been there to help students, if only to be an adult with whom they could talk to about all kinds of things... he finds the teenagers of today to be very open and responsive to an adult who cares."
In keeping with our Dad's wishes, celebration services will be private, but we welcome any memories or thoughts you might like to share with the family. Those can be sent to: Gus Miller Family, P.O. Box 276768, Sacto. Ca., 95827.
And remembrances in his name (in lieu of flowers please) can be sent to: Young Life, Elk Grove, 9728 Kent Street, Suite B Elk Grove, CA 95624.
Dear Daddy/Grandpa - You are alive in Heaven and alive in the impact you have had on our lives and on so many others. Your heritage is rich and we will do our best to make you proud as we continue your legacy. We dearly miss you, but celebrate your arrival on the "Angel-Wing-Express" to a place where you can run, dance and be free. To quote one of your Favorite passages: "The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those to trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong, like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired." Isaiah 40: 29-31. Soar upward on your new wings knowing how deeply you are loved. Yes, as you always said, "You got to the train station before the train left." **In closing we wish as a family to share a poem about Heaven written by one of Gus Miller's grandchildren:

**HEAVEN
The high hope of heaven thrills my soul
Enchanting pink sunsets rapture my eyes
I climb tall trees and sway in the fresh wind
I run, yes I run wild and free in the soft
meadows of my maker
I stand upon the edge of steep cliffs and deep canyons,
Where there is no border to your glory

All seasons, all colors, all smells, all sounds,
all tastes, all sights,
All thoughts, all good feelings - all these exist at once and forever - Life eternal in the land of my Lord

It is not air that gives me life,
but deep breaths of your thick glory
That keeps me ever awake
Your strong and tender embrace is the food that feeds me
Your laughter is the drink that fills me
Worship is the song of my lips
Each joyous moment of this immeasurable eternity, Praise to my Jesus Can be felt in my dance and seen in my eyes

It is here in heaven that I am home
I am here forever, eternally embraced by
the warm towel of your romance
And tonight, like every night, we shall sit on the hillside
Under the old oak tree and watch the sunset
As you tell me of your love for me
- Justin Buzzard