Max Richard Miller, 89, was reunited with his lifelong partner and wife of 65 years, Sarah, when he passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, just two months after her death in August.
Max was born on Wednesday, May 25, 1932, in Douglas, Wyoming, the 7th of 8 children born to Paul “Blinky” Hamilton Miller and Bessie Leola (Russ) Miller. He grew up 65 miles northeast of Douglas on the Miller homestead. He tended sheep and spent many nights in a sheep wagon in and around the Miller Hills. This is where he honed his harmonica skills playing his favorite songs: Red River Valley; Turkey in the Straw; You Are My Sunshine. Max attended the Miller/Middleton Country School making lifelong friends with all the ranch families in the area. He moved with his mother into Douglas to finish his schooling.
Max worked for Jim Sherwin, T. R. Munsinger and Sons Construction Company out of Glenrock and met and married Sarah Jane Malvin in 1956. He also worked for Knisely-Moore and Christianson Brothers before starting his own fencing business. In the early ‘60’s, Max started Miller Construction Company when he purchased an Allis Chalmers Track Backhoe from Busch Tractor & Supply. He ran the company with the help of his son(s) for over 40 years. A resourceful problem solver, Max could figure out the easiest, most efficient way to get any job done. He worked for many ranchers and on many water projects all over Converse County.
Along with Sarah, Max raised six children: Cheryl (Larry) Gerard; Paul (Merilee) Miller; Jane (Jerry) Bryson; Park (Lorrie) Miller; Pam (Cary) Tines; Neil (Melaine) Miller. For over ten years, he supported Sarah as the Casper Star Tribune dealer setting up a paper stuffing assembly line and delivering when needed. He maintained/repaired Miller Rentals properties and was the muscle moving antiques and fixing furniture for the Country Touch Antique Store.
Max didn’t know a stranger. He loved to elk hunt and has shared many hunting trips and stories throughout the years with family and friends. He was a mechanic and a handyman who could tackle and complete any project or job. Max was a patient teacher and fostered that “can do” ability in all his children and grandchildren.
Max was preceded in death by his wife Sarah; his parents and step father Harold Baker; three brothers—Bob, Bill, and Raymond Miller; two sisters—Betty (Putnam) Richards and Mary Jane Reed; and one son-in-law Craig Jepson.
He is survived by his six children; two sisters—Jody Reed and Karen Hulsey; 22 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephew.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 7:00 P.M.- 9:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Gorman’s Converse Chapel.
A tribute to Max’s life will be held at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 405 North Sixth Street, Douglas, Wyoming at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 29, 2021. Interment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery. A reception will follow the service at Cooper’s Arena in Douglas, 126 North Third Street.
Memorials will benefit the Douglas Wyoming Pioneer’s Association, P.O. Box 1545, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.
Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Gerard, Josh Miller, Colton Senger, Chase Senger, Tyler Bryson, Kyle Miller, ty Tines, John Tines, Coby Tines, Clay Tines, and Zach Miller.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all of his many friends and family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
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