Gary Jackson Miller

Our beloved, larger-than-life family patriarch, Gary Jackson Miller, left this world on August 17, 2022, at his home in Browns Valley, California, only 2 months short of his 90th birthday. His wife June was by his side when he passed.

Gary was born in Redding, California, on October 16th, 1932, to Claude and Claire Miller. He had a wonderful childhood with his sister Diane and his loving parents. The family eventually moved to Yuba City, California. Gary had an entrepreneurial spirit from the start. As told by his sister, he would make the rounds in their neighborhood with his wagon and gather fruit that had fallen from the trees. He would then park his wagon and sell his bounty to the locals.

Gary graduated from Yuba City High School and attended Yuba College and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He married Priscilla Souza in 1955, and they had 3 children together, Kelly, Grady and Lisa.

Deciding on a career in law enforcement like his father, he went on to attend the California Highway Patrol Academy and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Gary had a long career in the field, serving as a Sutter County Sheriff's Deputy from 1953-1956 and a California Highway Patrolman from 1956-1966. He had the unique honor of working as a CHP at the same time as his father, Claude.

Gary was elected Sheriff Coroner of Yuba County in 1966, and held that position until 1974. He took this role very seriously, was extremely dedicated and passionate about his work, and was very respected in the community.

After his first marriage ended, he married June Stewart Arnoldy in 1975, and became stepdad to her 5 daughters. They lived in Yuba City until they built their dream home in the foothills of Browns Valley in 2004.

In 1975, Gary became a real estate agent and joined MacBride Realty working in the farm and ranch division. In 1978, he became a licensed Broker and opened his own successful company, Gary Miller Realty. His intelligence, business sense, drive, perseverance and magnetic personality served him well and he enjoyed a very long and successful career in real estate, still working his business well into his 80's.

Gary lived a very active and adventurous life, most of that in the form of hunting of some type. He was a lifelong avid deer, elk and duck hunter, hunting not only on the family ranch in Shasta County but on many out-of-state hunts, including on some beautiful ranches he had the privilege to co-own.

He eventually became involved with rice ranching and acquired properties that not only helped provide for his family through agriculture, but also provided him the opportunity to duck hunt at will with his family, friends and even Bing Crosby, who became his good friend.

There are simply no words to describe what an extraordinary man Gary was. His quick wit, jokes and humor were legendary, and his zest for life was endless. He was the best storyteller, and he had many to tell. There will never be another like him and we will miss his presence every day until the end of our days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Claire Miller and sister Diane Covert. He is survived by his wife, June of Browns Valley, her children, June Brookins (Craig), Dawna Daniel (Jerome), Sandy Lewis (Dan), Stacy Walsh (Don) and Debbie Kenny (Kevin), as well as his children, Kelly Miller (Barb), Grady Miller and Lisa Miller Gould (Mike). Gary is also survived by grandchildren, Luke Landerman, Tucker Landerman, Tyler Landerman, Anthony Miller (Shawna), Aaron Miller (Bianca), Jarred Miller, Evan Miller (Inna), Richard Brookins (Victoria), Alexandria Rammell (Tyler), Jerome Daniel Jr. (Rachel), Jennifer Daniel, Elizabeth Daniel, Meg Philbin (Colby), Ellie Mezger (John), Glyn Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Jeffrey Walsh (Marisa), Alyson Bonaddio (Adam), Bradley Walsh, Madison Larson (John Michael aka J.M.), Cole Kenny and Aubrey Kenny; as well as great-grandchildren, Ayden, J.J., Sawyer, Atticus, Aiden, Claire, Heston, Abigail, Margaret, Charlotte, Parker, Scott, Katherine, Decker, Golden, Nolan, Hunter and Hayes.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Gary and the amazing life he lived at 11:00am on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Peach Tree Golf and Country Club, 2043 Simpson Dantoni Road, Marysville, CA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations: SAYLove www.saylove.org or California Waterfowl www.calwaterfowl.org.
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