Obituaries

John Jeffrey Miller will forever be 59-years-old as he went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sat., March 28, 2020.

Jeff, as he is known to his friends and family, died at home with his loving wife by his side.

After graduating from Gilmer County High School in 1978, Jeff started working in the oil fields. After approximately two years in the oil fields, he went home and told his mother, Mavis Miller of Shock, that he had joined the United States Army and would be leaving soon.

Jeff served his country for four years. He always said that, after he finished jump school, he decided he needed to be the best the Army had to offer, so he went to Ranger School and became an Army Ranger. He was the sniper for the Second Ranger Battalion and carried the codes for his Battalion. One day, the Captain asked who would volunteer for AFRC. No one knew what that stood for including the Captain, so Jeff volunteered. AFRC stood for Armed Forces Recreation Center so he was sent to Berchesgaden, Germany for a year of teaching skiing, hiking, canoeing, and other fun things.

When Jeff returned from the Army, he went back to work in the oil fields for one year while his application for the West Virginia State Police went through. Out of 4,400 applicants, Jeff, or JJ as he is known by troopers across the state, was one of the 44 chose. He spent 20 years serving and protecting the citizens of West Virginia, retiring as a Sergeant. During his 20 years in the WVSP, he served on the steering committee who created the current WV Domestic Violence law. After the law was approved by the legislature and signed into law, JJ went around the state teaching other WVSP officials how to enforce the law. JJ also was a firearms instructor at the WVSP Academy which required classroom and range instruction. He also served as Detachment Commander in Williamson, Logan, and Gilbert. He was proud of being a member of the West Virginia State Police.

While he served in McDowell County, WV, Jeff obtained his bachelor’s degree in Police Science from Bluefield State College.

Jeff and Myra were united in marriage on August 6, 1994, at the First Christian Church in Pikeville, KY. Their son, Josh, served as his father’s best man.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Arlyn Bly Miller.

He is survived by his mother, Mavis Miller of Shock, his wife, Myra Chico Miller of Glenville, his son, Joshua Bly (Brandie) Miller of Charleston and a grandson, Parker McCord, and a granddaughter who is due in May, Myla Bly. He is also survived by his sister, Peggy Dawn Miller of Shock, his brother, Gregory Scott (Dovetta) Miller of Louisa, KY, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Due to COVID-19, a true celebration of Jeff’s life will be conducted when this national emergency has ended.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of supporting Jeff or JJ’s family through telephone calls, messages, prayers, and cards. Please pray for understanding and healing for his entire family.

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc. is honored to assist the family of John Jeffery Miller with arrangements.