Stephen Miller Obituary

Name: Graveside service for Stephen Miller
Start: 2024-11-10T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Judean Memorial Gardens

Stephen Miller, beloved brother, husband, uncle, friend, a lion of the Los Angeles legal community, and a son of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully at home in the West Hollywood Hills on October 31.
Stephen was the son of Louis and Geraldine Miller and brother of Sylvia Miller Shenk. He grew up a popular kid in Northwest D.C., attending Coolidge High School, Washington and Lee University, and Georgetown University Law School, before moving in the 1960s to Los Angeles to join the U.S. Attorney's Office. As an Assistant United States Attorney, Stephen distinguished himself as a fair but feared federal prosecutor, and after leaving the office Stephen formed a respected criminal boutique firm and became a leading light of the L.A. criminal defense bar. His criminal clients included Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Zappa; major corporations including Sears and General Dynamics; politicians such as Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and State Senator Frank Hill; and anyone challenged by the criminal justice system. Stephen used his unparalleled gifts of charm, quick wit, and brilliant mind to connect with judges and juries alike. Famously, a federal jury once sang happy birthday to Stephen. Stephen was highly respected by his peers and was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Known for his wonderful sense of humor, a passion for pulling pranks, and a deep, generous commitment to his family, friends, and colleagues, Stephen lived life to its fullest: travel around the globe, golf and hunting trips, reading the classics (especially Shakespeare), and enjoying each moment that he spent with those many people who loved him. Stephen became practically a native of Los Angeles, and was delighted to wear a Dodgers cap while watching his team win the World Series the night before he died.
Stephen is survived by his sister Sylvia, nephews Maury and Gary Shenk, niece Julia Godfrey, the extended Miller family, late wife Jeanne who passed in 2020, ex-wives Sandy and Priscilla, and dear friends. He is returning to rest in the D.C. area alongside his parents. Graveside service will be held Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 1pm, at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, Maryland. His family welcomes gifts to the City of Hope hospital in Los Angeles in lieu of flowers.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Nov. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Miller

3 Entries

Doug Firth

May 24, 2025

I just found out that Stephen had passed away. I had tried calling him about a year ago. Tonight our local news station was talking about the LA fires and I googled Stephen where I found he passed away last year. I was his Realtor when he and Priscilla bought Upholland on the Eastern Shore of Md. Why am I posting this since no one will probably ever see it? Stephen and Priscilla became dear friends. Eating out, hunting, laughing and trading stories. This went on through the Jeannie years as well. I guess this is my way of saying goodbye to a lovely man whom I called my friend.

Pierre Zarokian

December 7, 2024

He was such a great attorney. He will be missed. R.I.P.

June Krupsaw (Lenkin, Krupsaw)

November 29, 2024

Dear Sylvia,

You probably won't even remember me. But I see you in my mind's eye, walking with your Mother into some restaurant. I say hello. We talk a bit. You were part of my upbringing. I worshipped your brother, as many young girls in high school did. I do recognize him. I was Bennet Cooper's friend. From 'la club' you know which one. I am so sorry about your brother's passing. But as I am now 80, of course I am seeing more of those I know leaving this earth. I'm glad I'm old now, though... Wish I were older too. Oh, if you need another reference, there is Saginaw. You and Sue Block were my heroines. You lead our teams; camp war and all that stuff. Well it's almost our time too. I wanted you to know yours and Stephen's memory sticks over the years. I was an impressionable child. I loved learning. Still do. We had a lot in common tho you never knew that. And yes there were synagogues....I note also a lot of Bennet Cooper lawyers...I wonder if a 'third' is his son. Anyway, I am sad about the passing of such a 'great kid' as the Washington Jewish Week says. I'm not feeling self conscious about this note to you when I should be talking about Stephen. He was so amazing. That I knew. Even Bennet was in awe of him at that age....in his early twenties. OK. Just know so many people are thinking of you and him and the family now. You made an impression on us. In our neighborhood. You were role models, inspirations etc. It mattered. Your ways were ways of pleasantness.....I pine for earlier times especially now (and no I won't begin my political rant now....you've already heard it on the now fractured, multi=sliced and diced media of mediums....I actually shrink about getting my new phone and computer this time. It's so frustrating my my efficiency. I can spend whole days with our computer technician ...over the basics and my preferences...it's exhausting. Oh, Sylvia, You lived and he lived and we lived in special times. Our forefathers were the heroes who fought the last good war. We are now probably killing ourselves....the earth is suffering etc. We know the picture. I hope your mind is still in tact. I hope somebody tells Bennet he was the first one I thought of to reach you but wow Legacy made it so easy, I've been on it a lot. Just lost a blood sister: Sylvia Furr ? Actually lost touched with her 50 years ago or so. My other blood sisters you may know Marian Malasky now (was Kullen)...is or was thriving last I saw her. I talk to Michelle....well you know the names. Life separates us. Saw many I remember at Sommerset (is that enough name dropping for you to jog your memory). Anyway, my mom passed a mere six years ago and everything changed for me too. Somewhere Thelma lives angry at me for something I suspect I know but we won't delve into that either. Yes, Stephen. As if he was his own era. I'm glad he fought the good fights with a lot of love in his world. Good, bad, peaceful or eruptive, he lived out his best instincts. And so handsome. He was naturally, long lasting movie star handsome. As a teen, this is what I remember. Of course, how brilliant. Of course I knew that, Bennet too of course. I remember the brief incidents, so vividly. I am sorry for your loss. I hope I broke a norm of condolences loud enough to jog your memory, June Krupsaw Lenkin Krupsaw Krupsaw. God Bless Us. We did a good job, I think. You can't say that about everyone. You are still a role model to me.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results