George Fielden Miller
12/27/25 – 11/21/19
Three weeks ago, our family gathered around you thinking you were leaving us, but then you surprised us by getting out of bed, sitting by the fire with mom and eating an ice cream cone. You blessed us with three more special weeks and then left us quietly in the early morning.
From your infectious laugh and deep dimples when you smiled to the way you cared for everyone, we will always remember how you spread positivity and joy wherever you went. Your love for your wife, family and every student you ever taught or counseled at Sedro-Woolley High School will live on in all of us. You were the sort of person who could have a delightful chat with someone who had reached you by calling a wrong number. You never complained; you were always fine. Every single day you said, “This was a great day!” You never knew a stranger. Wherever we went you struck up conversations, learned about people and showed how much you cared.
You taught us about devotion and love. You and Mom would have been married 74 years on January 7th. You shared stories with us of falling in love with mom, roller skating together and getting married in a blackout before heading off to war. You taught us not to take each other for granted and showed us how important it is to put our loved ones first.
You were the consummate teacher, always taking opportunities to teach your family about history, nature and the world around us. Oddly enough you officially graduated high school with the class of 2006, because you left school at age 17 to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II. During your time in Germany, you had the unique opportunity to attend the Nuremberg Trials. You never stopped learning, going on to earn multiple graduate degrees. You taught not only us, but anyone who would listen, how important an education is, including speaking two weeks ago to 1600 students and staff at Juanita High School in Kirkland where you were honored as a World War II veteran.
You built your legacy with your own two hands at Big Lake where all are welcome and family celebrations take place. Our inheritance is the wonderful memories and experiences that you and mom gave us – adventures traveling to all the States and provinces of Canada and summers at the lake house with cousins, grandchildren and oftentimes strangers. What an amazing father you were with your positive parenting and humor.
You taught us to be generous and share. At church, our pastors have said, “Who needs an evangelism committee, when you have George Miller!” You helped your seven grandsons with college expenses or as you phrased it “beer money.” You are considered a hero at Big Lake Fire Department, walking the boulevard collecting money for the 3rd of July fireworks. You taught your granddaughters-in-law by example to “Live for the moment; it is not what you spend, it’s what you save.” And no one’s grandchildren or great-grandchildren could be smarter, brighter, cuter, or more humorous than yours! The pride you felt for your family verged on embarrassment.
You taught us to have fun with family and friends. We will never forget the motorhome trips around the country, snow ski trips where you taught many people to ski with the patience and encouragement only you can give, and trips with your dear friends, the Sorestads – “Are you with me, George?” You created traditions that have become so important in our family that your great-grandchildren will carry them on.
We were blessed by a husband/father/grandfather/great-grandfather/friend who loved and believed in us unconditionally. You loved God, your wife, Gladys, your family and your country.
With our love, Gladys, Rick & Cheri, Dave & Patti, Jon & Lorna, Geoff & Monique, Ryan & Shawna, Erik, Jon & Jessaca, Nate & Kate, Nick & Jessica, Mikey & Linnzi, Ryan & Katie, Jaedon, Kai, Mary, Pearl, Otto, Ally, Ellie, Molly, Baker, Boden, Archer, Penelope, Elsie, Jess.
A Memorial Service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1006 Wicker Road, Sedro-Woolley on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Seattle Children’s Hospital or Big Lake Fire Department in his memory or any charity of your choice. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of George and sign the online guest register.
A true Community member! George the one of the Big lake fire deparment’s true asset he believed in the Volunteer and believed they should have the best equipment and training they could get. George went door to door for 15 years collecting Donation’s so we could get many life saving equipment such as Two Jaws of lifes and two new fire trucks. I always looked forward to what George had to say! The Big lake fire Deparment will miss all his support he showed us over the years. George Your are HERO!
I would never made it thru high school if it wasn’t for George. He was one hell of a person and educator.We remained friends since i was in school. My condolences to the family. God bless you all.
Grateful to have been in his Biology class at Sedro-Woolley (graduation class of 1962). Prayers for his family.
Thank you for this amazing tribute! Thank you for sharing George will all of us. He was such a loving..caring person. He was such a delight to talk to! He was always doing for others. Our family will NEVER forget how George and Gladys reached out to our Mom..Mary Long..after the sudden passing of our Dad..Boyde Long. They barely knew my Mom at the time but they took her on little adventures with them. Gladys would always sit in the backseat of the car with my Mom..so she wouldn’t feel awkward or alone back there..such beautiful amazing people!! We love all of you. We are praying for you. We know that George was greeted by His Saviour..”Well done good and faithful servant”! Love Billy & Pamela Farrar & Family
I was surprised & saddened to hear of George’s passing. George was a mere 5 months older than I, so I’ve known him all my life. There was never a person who could make another individual feel more special. I always considered him to be this community’s most remarkable self-made man. He will be remembered and missed by so many
My family and I are so sorry to hear of Mr Miller passing. I met George Miller the first period of the first day of my sophmore year. He made my morning run to Biology class worthwhile. (He would wager a Hershey bar with certain classmates as to whether I would be late or not and he usually won). He and Gladys were great neighbors to my grandmother and later my parents at the end of Metcalf Street. He meant so much to many generations of SWHS students and the community. My deepest condolences to all who feel this loss.
In 1990, we were a young family with 3 small kids who wanted a playhouse. We had lots of material but no expertise, or $ to hire anyone to build it. My little sissy (Bernie) said “call Gladys & George. They LOVE to build stuff & have nothing going right now.” So I did. They came right over. Amazingly, in little over a wk we had a darling little playhouse. A few wks later they came back with a chalk/paint easel, which they’d found at a garage sale & thought would be perfect for our little girl. Over the years we’ve run into them alot. George was ALWAYS friendly & kind; with a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face & a funny story to share. A truly a good man, who lived an extraordinary life. We’re so sorry for your loss. Hugs to Gladys & all the Miller family.
What a beautiful tribute to a great man. I don’t think George and Gladys missed any of our class reunions. Love to the family.
What a loss with George Miller’s passing. He was such an honest and caring person. He left many friends behind. I worked with George as a Special Ed teacher at SWHS for many years. It was always a pleasure to have known and worked with him. RIP George.!
Grandpa you are the best, I love you, and miss you. Thank you for being such a bright light in my life
You are going to hear this a thousand times, but let me be a thousand and one. I hated the tiny high school. I hated the small town my parents were from and moved me to after my dad left the Army. I NEVER fit in. But one man saw me. One man encouraged me. One man showed me kindness. George Miller ALWAYS saw more in me than I saw in myself, and he is the one of the few people I remember with respect and fondness.
DEAR ONES,
MR. MILLER WAS TRULY A FAVOURITE TEACHER OF MINE. I WAS HIS BIOLOGY ASSISTANT DURING MY DAYS [1959-1961] AT SEDRO-WOOLLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
I GRADUATED FROM SWHS IN 1961. THE LORD ENABLED ME, AFTER FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL, TO GO ON AN ACQUIRE AN A.A., B.A., M.Div, M.A. [WITH HONOURS], A PH.D IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY AND A D.D. I ALSO HAVE WORK TOWARDS A MASTERS IN LIBRARY SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY.
MR. MILLER WAS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. HE LOVED TEACHING BIOLOGY. I REMEMBER THAT HE LIVED WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SCHOOL. HE WAS SO PROUD OF HIS NEW GREENHOUSE AT SWHS. AND HOW MANY JARS OF FRUIT FLIES DID HE HAVE IN THE CLASSROOM?
I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. BUT I REALIZE, AS A BAPTIST PASTOR, THAT THE LORD IS IN CONTROL. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS PLANNED IT ALL AFTER HIS WILL.
I AM PREACHING A SERIES ON PSALM 23 AT MY CHURCH, GRACE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, IN TORONTO, AT THIS PRESENT TIME. WE CAN DRAW SUCH COMFORT FROM GOD’S WORD AS A GO THROUGH LIFE’S TRIALS WITH GOD.
WOW! 74 YEARS MARRIED. GOD IS SO GOOD TO HIS CHILDREN. MY WIFE , A WENATCHEE GIRL, AND I ARE WORKING ON 53 YEARS OF MARRIAGE. AT PRESENT, WE HAVE 3 MARRIED DAUGHTERS AND 18 GRANDCHILDREN. WE HAVE NO GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AS OF YET.
WE HAVE BEEN IN CANADA FOR 40 YEARS. MY WIFE, 73, IS IN HER 47TH YEAR OF TEACHING. I , 76, AM ALSO TEACHING IN GRADE 8 IN OUR ACADEMY AND IN OUR BIBLE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY. I ALSO DRIVE SCHOOL BUS TO SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME WHILE I PASTOR MY CHURCH HERE IN TORONTO. I HAVE BEEN AT GRACE FOR 33 YEARS.
I AM SO THANKFUL THAT MR. MILLER TOOK ME UNDER HIS WINGS AND ENCOURAGED ME IN MY STUDIES AND MY GOING ON TO UNIVERSITY. I HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE WITH THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS THAT I HAVE TAUGHT DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS.
I REALIZE THAT WE TEACH LITTLE BY WHAT WE SAY, MORE BY WHAT WE DO BUT MOST BY WHAT WE ARE – EXAMPLE. AND MR. MILLER SET A RIGHT EXAMPLE FOR ME. MR MILLER WAS TRULY A MAN OF GREAT CHARACTER.
MY WIFE, GEORGEL, AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME. I AM THANKFUL FOR JOHN KEENE SHARING THIS EMAIL WITH THOSE OF US FROM THE CLASS OF 1961.
I AM SURE YOUR GOAL, AS A FAMILY, HAS BEEN IN LIVING OUT THE TEACHING OF PSALM 34:3.
I REMAIN,
UNTIL,
DR. GARY E. LA MORE, PD.D., D.D.
910 1340 DANFORTH ROAD
SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO, CANADA
M1J 1G2
PSALM 23:1-6
Condolences to the family.
What a great Man George was, he was my counselor as he was MANY others. He was the first person to ever tell me, “ it’s not the situation that defines you, it’s what you do about it..” I will NEVER forget that and have quoted it many times and who taught me that…. what a light in Heaven he will be… God Bless
George–I never had a class from you but felt your influence as a student and modeled my behavior and lust for learning based on my interactions with you. What a model human you were. We are all proud to have known you.
What beautiful and inspiring words. We could all do well to live by his example.
What a heritage he has left. Love to your family.
Sandi Nightingale
George will be greatly missed…such a great sense of humor and love for all. My prayers are with you all.
I met George Miller as a 10 year old. He and my mom were both enrolled at Oregon State in an Academic Year Institute for science teachers in the year of Sputnik. Because of his recommendation my family moved to district 101. He was a marvelous teacher and I have wonderful memories of him saying Jones! and then explaining the error of my ways. Because of his attention to detail I was accepted at WWSC. The girl’s counselor was rather cavalier about submitting my application because I was sure to be admitted (disregard enrollment numbers). George went to her office, took my file, and sent it in. The rest is not his fault.
My parents valued his friendship and admired his scholarship.
He is one of my “teachers who lit my path”.
So sorry for your loss.
I have so many fond memories of Mr Miller when I was in high school. He was always a positive person. Kind to everyone. He will be missed. ❤