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Ken Miller Obituary
Sept. 23, 1918 - Sept. 5, 2014
Resident of Santa Cruz
Ken passed away peacefully in his home on Friday the 5th of September. Ken was born in Sacramento. He was the youngest of four boys and one girl. He was raised on a farm featuring 26 acres of tokay grapes, cows, chickens and goats.
Ken moved to Santa Cruz in 1940 to operate a chicken ranch in Capitola. Ken would go out dancing at the Coconut Grove ballroom where he met his wife to be, Lois Cadwallader in July of 1942.
Ken was the proud father of three daughters. He went to work for Steenstrups Candy for 19 years before opening his own business, Ken Miller Foods, until he sold it in 1982. Following his "retirement", he and Lois traveled the country in their RV along with his beloved mother-in-law, Karine. Ken volunteered for three decades at the Grey Bears doing everything from picking up donuts to distributing and dismantling computers. He was also an active member of SIRS.
Ken loved jokes, but could never make it to the punchline without laughing. He was a loyal Giants and 49ers fan, loved reading the Sunday comics, and was a perpetually hopeful lottery player.
Ken was predeceased by his two daughters, Jean and Beverly, and his grandson, Stevie. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lois, and daughter, Joyce. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and friends made throughout his life.
Services will be held at Oakwood Memorial Chapel on Saturday, September 27th at One O' Clock in the afternoon with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Ken's family respectfully requests donations be made in his name to Grey Bears or Hospice of Santa Cruz County.
If you would like to offer condolences to Ken's family, share your memories and light a candle in his honor, please visit www.scmemorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ken Miller
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
Larry Azzaro
September 26, 2014
R.I.P. Fellow Grey Bear...Larry
Paul Yee
September 22, 2014
Ken, of Ken Miller Foods was the best supplier of foods for the TeaCup cocktail lounge. Rest In Peace.
Pamela O'Neal
September 22, 2014
As some of my grandchildren have and are growing up across fom Mr. Miller's home he will surely be missed. A wonderful man.
Thank you, Pam & Kevin O'Neal
Star McGowan
September 21, 2014
I love you Gramp! I am so honored that I knew you. You were the best Gramp there ever was. I will always have great memories and silly jokes. If there's anything I learned so much from you and miss you dearly. I know your not really gone and will always be there, every time I see a singing and dancing toy or a puzzle, I always think of you and know that your there. I love you!! Always my Grampy
Cristina Gomez Mello
September 21, 2014
I remember Ken when I worked at Tampico downtown. Ken would come in to make a delivery and he always had a smile on his face. He was so kind and generous to my kids and would give them something sweet after asking me if it was ok. Smile up in Heaven kind sir
Kathy
September 19, 2014
Pappy, I look at this picture and see this was who you were. A man who was happy with his life and genuinely enjoyed it. You were so funny and always made me laugh or roll my eyes with your corny jokes! My favorite part was the smile you'd get when you thought something was funny. We would always tease you and say somebody was getting a big kick out of himself and then you'd smile more! I miss hearing your voice every week and talking to you about the full moon, the A's and Giants and whatever else we felt like. You were the best grandpa and we were all lucky to have you for as long as we did. I am greedy though; I wanted you to live much longer because we had a lot of adventures left. I'm glad you are with Mom and Beav and Stevie and know we will be reunited someday. I love you and you will always be my favorite guy in the world!
Kim Sirles
September 19, 2014
I love you Grampy! I'll miss you everyday but am so grateful that I have so many wonderful memories that make me smile about you. Behave yourself Me Own Pappy!
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Santa Cruz Memorial - Oakwood Chapel3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
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