Obituary of James Julius Miller

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of James (Jim) Julius Miller, a loving husband, a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a respected figure in his community. Jim passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 13, 1938. Jim’s great-grandparents homesteaded in the Amber/Williams Lake area in 1886. His grandparents, Charles (‘Charlie’) and Montie Miller, expanded the ranch to become one of the largest landholdings in the area. Jim’s father died a few months before he was born. So along with Jim’s mother, Violet, Charlie and Montie provided a family structure that was instrumental in his formative years. Jim dedicated his entire life to his family’s ranch, building a reputation as a diligent and knowledgeable cattleman and farmer. His strong work ethic and deep respect for the land were evident to all who knew him, and he approached everything with integrity and a commitment to excellence. Jim cherished his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Karen, of 64 years. He was a proud and supportive father to his three children and delighted in the joys of his eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Family was a source of immense happiness for him, and he will be deeply missed by them all. Jim also embraced the opportunity to explore the world. He and Karen enjoyed many adventures, with a particular fondness for traveling the country in their RV. He will be remembered for his strong character, his unwavering commitment to his family and the land, and his adventurous spirit. He was a wonderful storyteller and would often recount the history of the ranch, as well as all the places he traveled around the world creating precious memories with friends and family. He was a lifetime member of Sprague Rod & Gun Club, HiYu Indians Trapshooting Club, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sprague, Sprague Masonic Lodge, and Shriners. Jim leaves behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, deep friendships, and love. He is survived by his cherished wife, Karen; his children Terri West (David) and Scott Miller (Dina); eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Jim Miller, Jr.; grandparents Charlie and Montie; parents Jim and Violet; and brother Charles. A private burial will be held at Pine City Cemetery. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Miller Ranch and Hunting Preserve Clubhouse, 25010 W Martin Rd, Cheney, WA on Saturday, May 17th at 1 pm. Memorial donations can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, Attn: Philanthropy, 911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; St. John’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 343, Sprague, WA 99032; and Sprague Rod & Gun Club, PO Box 191, Sprague, WA 99032.