Thomas James Miller

Thomas James Miller passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on February 28, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on September 23, 1937, in Yuba City, California, to Fred and Marie Miller. He lived in the local area all of his life.

Tom joined the Coast Guard in 1955, and served until 1959. He worked in construction until 1960, when he became a police officer. After a visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, to see his big brother, Richard, who was a Police Officer there and going on a ride along with him, Tom decided he wanted to become a police officer. He loved his job and moved quickly up the ranks, retiring as a captain in 1993, after 33 years of service. He received many commendations during his career.

Tom had two daughters, Kellie Jo and Angela with is first wife. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Pat, and gained three more daughters, Dawna, Kellee and Tracee. His standing joke was that he couldn't even marry into a son. He was a great father to all five girls.

Tom was a self taught guitar player and an excellent one at that. Paired with his great voice, he entertained family and friends with country music, his favorite music! Merle Haggard was his hero! There were many jam sessions in the Miller home. Anyone lucky enough to hear Tom's awesome singing and guitar playing will have it burned into their memory forever.

Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman and he enjoyed his years of retirement hunting and fishing. He made many out of state hunting trips and was nearly always successful in bagging game and catching fish. Daily fishing trips weren't out of the question during striper season. He also hunted pheasant with his two great dogs, Ace and Duke. He and Pat even went to South Africa, where he bagged a kudu, a warthog, a gemsbok (large antelope) and an impala.

Tom had to slow down a bit the last few years for health reasons but he would still fish as often as he could with friends and grandkids. This gave him more time to spend with some of his grandkids and great-grandkids. He was the best grandpa ever!

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard; his sister, June; his first grandson, Brent Beeler; his son-in-law, Dale Bowers; and many cousins who were like brothers.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Pat; his daughters, Dawna Beeler (Doug), Kellie Jo Wilkey (Alex), Kellee Bowers, Tracee Powell (John) and Angela Martin (Robert). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild with another great­-great-grandchild coming this spring. These kids were all so special to him and they all loved him.

Tom had a great sense of humor and was always the life of the party! He will be missed so very much. As the Luke Bryan song says, he's now "huntin', fishin' and lovin' every day, that's the prayer that a country boy prays."

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00pm, at the Elks Lodge, 920 D Street, Marysville, CA. Please join us for appetizers and refreshments. Casual attire is welcomed. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity.