Miller Duris

Miller Duris, 86, passed away March 23, 2014, after a six-year struggle with an aggressive form of Parkinson's. Born March 2, 1928, in Rainier, to Slovak immigrants, John and Mary (Duhon) Duris, he attended school in Rainier until 1945 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He served on the U.S.S. Archernar, leaving the service in March 1949. On Oct. 11, 1948, he married Celestine "Sally" Weverka in Hillsboro. He worked for Meltebeke's Furniture in Hillsboro before joining Tektronix in 1951. Miller and Sally moved to Virginia in 1959 with two daughters where he managed the Tektronix Washington, D.C. field office. Returning to Hillsboro in 1967 with six daughters, he continued at Tektronix until 1977. Miller was appointed to the Hillsboro City Council in 1969, served as Hillsboro Mayor from 1973 to 1977 and Washington County Commission Chair from 1977 to 1981. He also owned and operated Miller's Sweet Shop in Hillsboro from 1971 to 1974. He went on to be facilities manager for Tuality Hospital until his retirement in 1991. Miller organized the Pigtail-Ponytail Softball League (now the Hillsboro Girls Softball Association), starting with four teams in 1969, and serving on the league's board for 20 years while managing softball teams that included five daughters. When his daughters continued on to play women's softball, Miller was team manager for many years. His passion for playing men's softball began while living in Virginia and continued in Hillsboro. After retirement, he played senior softball in Arizona and California in winter and Portland in summer and traveled to different tournaments throughout the U.S. He hung up his glove in 2009. Miller was a member of the Hillsboro Martin J. Ryan VFW Post 2666, First Catholic Slovak Union Portland Branch 735, Hillsboro Elks Lodge 1862 and lifetime member of the Optimist Club. He is survived by his wife of 65 years; daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Herb Hirst of North Plains, Carol and Steve Nolan of Hillsboro, Colleen and Steve Palmer of St. Helens and Carin and Blake Landon of Hillsboro; daughter; Cathy Robb of Kenneth, Fla., and former son-in-law, Burdette Robb of Vernonia; grandchildren, Jeff Tankersley, Holly and Miller Nolan, Danielle and Katelynn Robb, Addison Haas, Hayley, Griffin and Grayson Landon; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Burdette and Larinda Robb and Michael and MaRaine Palmer; and great-grandchildren, Aiden and Liam Robb. His parents; brother, Andrej of Slovakia; sister, Annie Griffiths of St. Helens; and daughter, Cheryl Tankersley of Hillsboro, preceded him in death. A rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2014, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 447 S.E. Third Ave., Hillsboro, with a luncheon following in the church hall. The family suggests donations to St. Matthew Church or your favorite charity.