Obituary of Michael G. Miller

MSG Michael G. Miller Sr., Passed away on Monday April 27, 2020 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer, with his loving family by his side. Michael is survived by his wife of 54 years Sandra, daughters Dawn, Roxanne and husband Tommy and son Michael Jr. and his wife Jenny. Michael also left behind 5 grandchildren: Reece, Austin, Rylee, Ethan and Jayce who will all miss papa dearly. Lastly, he left behind his faithful four-legged companion Snapper. Michael was born in Buffalo, New York to parents Marian Miller (deceased) and George Miller (deceased). He graduated from Bishop Turner High School in 1964 and enlisted directly into the Army. Michael was a Veteran of the Korean War (1964-1965) and Vietnam (1970-1971) where he received several medals including the Purple Heart, 2- Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry along with a few others. Once Michael completed his tour in Vietnam, he came home to begin his military career as a Station Commander, Field Recruiter and Senior Guidance Counselor working in both Jacksonville and Miami. Michael completed his career working at the Investigation and Assistance Branch in Ft. Sheridan, IL. Retiring in 1982. After Michael retired from the Army he worked for a few local companies: Red's Tire Shop and the City of Fort Myers to name a couple before beginning to work with small engines. He then started his own shop and worked with small engines for the rest of his life. It gave him a challenge at times, enjoyment at other times and surely kept him busy. He was known by a lot of people in Fort Myers by either Mike, Lawnmower man of Alva, Lawnmower Dude or Sarge. People either brought him their mowers, chain saws, etc. or came to him for parts and knowledge of how to fix the machines. Earlier in life he was involved with the local stock car racing at Sunshine Speedway, Naples Speedway and Charlotte County Speedway. We spent a lot of weekends at these tracks. His favorite Nascar driver has been Denny Hamlin last few years. He them moved from stock car racing to racing lawnmowers. Michael was also a member of the Florida Flywheelers and the Old Timers Antique Engine Club and enjoyed those weekends of relaxing and showing his engines and mowers along with visiting with other people from all over that were there. He did keep busy after retirement from the service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, yet to be determined and a military funeral will follow after that in Bay Pines Military Cemetery, St. Petersburg Florida.