Obituaries

Donald Lyle Miller, born to Howard Liddell Miller Sr. and Alene Hill Miller on January 23, 1953 in Boise, Idaho, left this world after extended illness on April 28, 2019 at his home in Kooskia, Idaho. Although born in Boise, the Clearwater Valley is where Don spent most of his life and where he considered home. Growing up, Don and his older brother Howard spent every minute they could outdoors. The brothers worked together as camp crew for their father’s outfitting business and hunted and fished all over the Selway region. Don would tell stories of various ornery horses and one loving donkey the family owned when they lived on Clear Creek and later Toll Road. After the death of his father, Don moved with his mother to the McCoy Trailer Park in Kooskia, where Alene became the adopted mother to Don’s friends and so many others. After graduating from Clearwater Valley High School, Don joined the United States Air Force where he served as a dental assistant until his honorable discharge in 1973. Don worked in various jobs after the military but always said his favorite was working in the cedar mill, where he adopted the nickname “The Cedar Savage”. Don loved to learn and was interested in many subjects including history and anthropology. It was not unusual to find Don reading an encyclopedia for “fun”. After the death of his mother and years later when the McCoy Park closed, Don moved across the river to the River Junction RV Park on Highway 12 where he lived out the rest of what he called his “66 years of childhood.” Don lived life on his own terms and was fiercely independent to the point of being outright stubborn from time to time. Beneath what could be a gruff exterior was kindness and a concern to put the needs of others before his own. Don is survived by beloved friends and his loving family including, nieces Jennifer Miller (Kevin Taylor), Tabitha Miller (Richard Zuercher), Amanda McKissen (Shane), and Nicole Slade (Tyler). Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Howard W. Miller Jr. (Cheri) and many friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dean Taylor and Joe and Betty Joe Pace for their help during this difficult time. An incredible thank you to all the nurses, staff, and doctors at St. Mary’s and the Syringa Hospice program for all that they have done and continue to do. Friends of Don are invited to an informal celebration of life gathering at the River Junction RV Park on Saturday, May 11 at noon with a scattering of ashes at Selway Falls to follow. Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is assisting the family.