Kenneth Andrew Miller

Kenneth Andrew Miller graduated this life Dec 10, 2024.

He was at home with his family. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, December 20, 2024 at Redwood Memorial Estates Chapel, 6500 S Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah. Friends and family may visit there from 9:30 am - 10:45 am, prior to services. He will be interred next to his mother and his infant son. Ken was born December 31, 1951 in Jacksonville Florida to Edna Marie Edwards and Billy Gard Miller. The family soon expanded to include two younger sisters, Sheila and Sharon, and the three of them had adventures together growing up primarily in Salt Lake City.

Ken had fond memories of discovering he could run fast, and he learned to play football. He joked that he spent more time at his girlfriend's high school during the day than he did at his own, and didn't think they would let him graduate; but one day they handed him a diploma at South High School, and that chapter was over. About two days after his girlfriend Debbie Madsen headed off to college, he realized he might as well go too, and dropped everything to follow her to the College of Eastern Utah (now called Utah State Eastern). He thrived in the college environment, where actual learning was valued more than attendance.

 They were married July 26, 1971 and spent their first year together having fun going to school and serving in student government together. Ken was the Student body President and Debbie was the President of the Associated Women Students. They earned their associate degrees and moved back to Salt Lake City, where Ken continued his education at the University of Utah, studying Manufacturing Engineering. Ken worked for several years as a mechanic, and he learned to rebuild automatic transmissions. His mechanical interest and attention-to-detail served him, friends, and neighbors well, because he could fix anything. As a child he learned the sheetrock trade from his father, spotting nails for a penny a piece. Later he used his construction skills for sweat equity which allowed his young family to buy their first starter home in West Jordan - and help neighbors finish their basements.

 He worked his way into mechanical engineering at Ireco, and later Tradestar, where he worked in the explosives industry. His job took him to mines in the U.S., Canada, and Sweden. In 1991 he was privileged to work on the team involved in the creation of a large, artificial island to accommodate a runway across the water as part of the new Hong Kong International Airport. He received four U.S. Patents and several International Patents for his inventions, which included a Light Infantry Tactical Explosive (L.I.T.E.) device, which coworkers dubbed “Miller LITE”. This was designed for the Saudi Arabian Gulf conflict. He later engineered control systems for custom-made explosive material delivery trucks. 

In 1989 Ken was elected Mayor of West Jordan City, where he dedicated himself to making a difference in the second-fastest growing city in Utah. He took steps to bridge communication and good-will between the city staff, the city council, and the individual citizens. He worked tirelessly with integrity and patience throughout his term of service. He is responsible for the new City Hall design choice, which he understood would give West Jordan an important city center. He worked to preserve a large parcel of land which became Jordan Landing, because he realized how important it was to plan for the future in a city of such rapid growth. He said the accomplishment he was most proud of from that era was procuring the site for the Jordan Campus of Salt Lake Community College. Ken personally prepared and presented the council's proposal, which included a partnership between both West Jordan and South Jordan cities. It was no small undertaking due to the highly competitive process. Ken’s creativity and inspired presentation convinced the committee that this was the right place. In his semi-retirement, he worked as a West Jordan rural route mail carrier for the USPS. He enjoyed the combination of some interactions with people, and quiet solitude where he could listen to his favorite music. Due to employment, in 1995 Ken and Debbie made their home in Davis County, first in Farmington, and later in Bountiful, which is where he peacefully passed.

Ken loved to read, and to study history. He understood that the universe is governed by Eternal Principles, and that our lives and communities improve in direct proportion to our ability to live in alignment with Truth. He questioned everything, and liked to consider theories about things beyond our current knowledge. He sought to understand politics, economics, religion, and human nature. He endeavored to teach his family to think critically, to work hard, and to stand for what is right. 

 Ken had a gift for fixing things, and he prided himself on keeping beater cars running. He enjoyed wood carving and he made several beautiful pieces, often given as gifts. One piece was entered in the State Fair and it earned a blue ribbon. He loved the feel of wood, and liked to restore old pieces to their original beauty. He enjoyed the art of photography and had his own dark room for a while. He was a fan of many genres of music, and also live theater. He performed a few times at Pages Lane Theater. He loved his dogs, and he loved trees. One item on his bucket list that he wasn’t able to achieve, due to his declining health, was to visit all the places he had planted trees, to see the growth that had happened while he wasn’t watching. Later in life he took a keen interest in cooking. He could accomplish just about anything he put his mind to!

 Of everything Ken accomplished in his life, he was most proud of his family. His 6 kids and 21 grandchildren were a source of great joy. He often asked about each one of them and looked forward to regular extended family dinners at Debbie’s house. He was happy to see his family expand as kids and grandkids grew up and added spouses to the family tree, and at the time of his passing he also had 8 great-grandchildren. Imagine how proud he will be as the family legacy goes on and on! Ken was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Utah Pioneer family heritage. He served in many different callings including First Counselor in the Bishopric (at age 27), teaching his daughter’s class in Primary, and teaching at the local city jail to inmates housed there. He especially enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine class, and he loved it when the grandchildren were old enough to have gospel and scripture discussions with him. 

Ken was surprised with a diagnosis of metastatic renal cancer in 2016. Statistical odds have a survival rate of only 50% of patients undergoing treatment surviving two years, but he lasted 7 1/2 years. Step by step his body deteriorated, and he submitted to a long list of treatments before the cancer finally overtook him. His oncologist says he is the longest surviving patient with this diagnosis he has seen. Ken always spoke of dying as The Next Great Adventure. When recently asked what has kept him hanging on to this life so long, when he knew he would just be moving on to the next phase, he said, “I just don’t want to leave all of you.” 

Ken is survived by his beloved children: Chris Miller (Kiyomi), Jennifer Sanchez (Fred), Justin Miller (Krista), Natalie Jackson (Rob), Jon Miller (Heather), Aubrey (TBD). Grandchildren: Jordan (Kyndra), Adam, Kenlee, Ashlie (Stephen), Noah, Julia, Olivia (Michael), Jasmine, Emma, Joshua, Alex (Olivia), Jaelyn, Elizabeth, Asher, Madeline, Avery, Max, Barrett, Logan, Alisha, and Caleb. Siblings: Sheila Davis (Todd), Sharon Connelly (Kent).

 Ken was excited to meet both of his parents again on the other side, and grandparents (especially Grandpa J), and his infant son Seth Andrew Miller, and granddaughter Emily Kay Miller. Ken’s testimony is that he will be busy learning and serving as he waits on the other side for the rest of us to finish our time here on earth, and join them! Ken was married to Debra Kay Madsen Miller, later divorced; Ann Hammond, later divorced; and his estranged wife, Linda Memmott. Ken received excellent care through Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman at Home. He received the help, support, and love of many people we are grateful for. His adult children and grandchildren assisted him continually throughout his illness and mobility challenges. 

 The family wishes to especially thank their mother Debbie, who took him home and cared for him around-the-clock the last 5 months, which allowed him to die like he wanted most: surrounded by his family.