Thomas Miller

Thomas Robert Miller, age 76, passed away peacefully at University of Iowa Hospital on Friday, December 5, 2025, after suffering a stroke ten days earlier. He was lovingly attended by his extended family during his last days.

Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 31, 1948, the eldest child of Robert and Betty Miller. Four siblings followed. Even as a child, Thomas had a mission to help people. At the age of eight, he organized the neighborhood kids to raise money to buy Christmas presents for children in the hospital. This impulse to be of service to those in need carried on throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic Boy Scout, loved camping trips, and always took to heart the slogan: Do a good turn daily.

In Michigan, he graduated from Utica High School and Macomb County Community College in the 1960s. He played trombone in the high school marching band and, with three friends, formed a rock band called The Beavers in which he played bass guitar. He participated in community theater as an actor and a stage manager. He also developed an interest in ham radio at the age of thirteen, getting official certification, learning Morse code and communicating with other ham radio enthusiasts around the world. His love of technology lasted all his life. He was an early computer user and was sending emails before most people knew such a thing existed.

He was very proud of his three children-Heather, a talented singer-songwriter, Thomas, a highly creative photographer and videographer, and Collin, who followed in his father's footsteps, becoming adept in computer technology and also the performing arts. Thomas's eyes would glow when he talked about them.

He became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation in the 1970s and served people in that capacity for a number of years. Later he combined his love of technology and impulse to help others by testing the safety of computer software used in medical devices, forming his own company with this specialty. He also served as a Shadow Work facilitator, helping people gain emotional health. In Fairfield, he was widely known for his role as priest and later bishop at St. Gabriel and All Angels, the Liberal Catholic Church, where he served for nearly forty years. Hr was known for his compassionate guidance and his inspiring wisdom. He performed a great number of marriage ceremonies and memorial services and taught many classes.

Beyond all these roles, he was a great lover of nature, treasuring time spent in wooded parks, lakes, mountains, and other places of beauty, which he called "God's art museum." In recent years, he walked nearly every day in Chautauqua Park, taking wondrous photographs of the changes in every season. He loved music and played his electric guitar daily, even up to the week before his stroke. He was an excellent dancer and was a devoted member of the contra dancing community in Fairfield and the region.

He married his wife Donna in 2015, when they were both in their late sixties. Their blended family, including five beloved children all integrated harmoniously and all will miss him greatly.

He is survived by his wife Donna Miller, his brother Richard Miller of Fairfield, his sister Patti Miller of Florida, his sister Roberta Wallace (Bob) of North Carolina, his sister Marcia Doran (Hugh) of Washington state, his daughter Heather Miller, his son Thomas Miller, and his son Collin Miller ((Nandi) and their mother (his former spouse) Cielle Backstrom (Jeffrey), his stepson Dain Daller (Pando), his stepdaughter Adrien Logsdon (Nate), and his two grandchildren Leo and Dolly Logsdon. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Miller and stepmom Dorothy, his mother Betty Yaroch and stepdad Jack, his father-in-law Donald Seibert, mother-in-law Verna Seibert, and brother-in-law Robert Seibert.

We regret to announce the passing of Thomas R. Miller on December 5th, 2025 Bishop Thomas R. Miller of St. Gabriel and All Angels, The Liberal Catholic Church, passed away to a "higher life of service," in the evening of December 5, 2025. His life in Fairfield, Iowa, was one of constant service. He became a priest in The Liberal

Catholic Church and founded St. Gabriel and All Angels in 1987. The current building at 300 E. Burlington Avenue was consecrated for holy worship on September 19, 1993.

Before Fr. Miller became a priest, he gathered with friends to talk about starting a

church. They spontaneously came up with the name of St. Gabriel and All Angels, realizing later that the first Eucharist celebrated in Fairfield at the Barhydt Chapel was on the feast day of the Archangel Gabriel. This nice coincidence gave them the sense of knowing that they were working with the Divine in a mission for building the Liberal Catholic Church community in Fairfield.

Fr. Miller dedicated his life energies to weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist and

the singing of the Rosary of the Seven Rays. He tirelessly trained altar servers and inspired many to take Holy Orders. He studied and shared his knowledge of the deep Liberal Catholic Church mystical tradition and held many knowledge meetings on the depth and fullness of what it means to be a mystical Christian.

Thomas Miller was consecrated a Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church on June 3,

2017. In preparation for this event, our building at 300 E. Burlington Avenue underwent a

major facelift. We replaced the concrete handicap entrance, uncovering the original north stair entrance, also installing a chair lift inside, rebuilt the classical brick balusters, and installed new red carpeting. This was a fitting remodel for his consecration and the beginning of Thomas's new level of service. As a bishop, Thomas gave additional blessings with his crosier at the Holy Unction services, confirmed new members, and continued to teach and enliven knowledge of what it means to be a sacramental church. His leadership provided a spiritual framework that remains a continued inspiration for many in the community.

Bishop Thomas will be deeply missed. and in his spirit St. Gabriel and All Angels

will carry on the beautiful legacy and sacred work of The Liberal Catholic Church.

TWO SERVICES: Requiem Eucharist on Saturday, December 20 at 10:15 am

Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Wednesday, December 31 at 10:15 am