Duane David Miller |
| Posted 2016-03-10 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Camp Verde Bugle, Cottonwood, Arizona Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Duane David Miller, an Arizona native, cattle rancher, and entrepreneur, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2016, in Cottonwood, Arizona. Born April 5th, 1930, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix to Cecil H Miller Sr., and Phyllis Hickey Miller, he attended North Phoenix High School and later graduated from the University of Arizona where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, played varsity tennis, and was a linebacker on the varsity football team. In the summer of 1952, Duane met the love of his life, Beverly Lockett, the daughter of a prominent Arizona family, at a sheepmens picnic in Flagstaff and they married the following year in Tucson. During his lifetime, Duane served as board president of Mingus Union High School, board president and founding member of Yavapai College, was president of Arizona Cattle Growers Association, board president and member of the UA Alumni Association, as well as board member of the UA Foundation. UA also named Duane an honorary Bobcat, receiving both the Alumni Achievement Award and Alumni Centennial Award. He also served as director of Banc One Arizona Corporation, board member of Northern Arizona Health Care, and 25 years on the board of Arizona State Parks. Duane also served proudly on the board of the Western Heritage Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Duane is pre-deceased in death by his parents, his brother, Cecil H. Miller, Jr., and sister-in-law, Alzora B. Miller, in addition to an infant sister. Duane will be deeply missed and is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Beverly, his children Katherine Pullen (Randy), Susan Eaton (Jerry), Leslie Pigg (Harvey Cochran), Benjamin (Judi), 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathy and Michael Hard of Tucson, and brother-in-law, Henry Claiborne Lockett III of Sedona. The family sends heartfelt thanks to Duane's longtime friend and foreman, George Fischer, and longtime friend and care giver, Karen Hightower. The family also wishes to thank the Valley View Care facility in Cottonwood for the extraordinary care given to our husband and father during the last months of his life. Their dedication to his quality of life was exceptional. The family suggests contributions in his memory to Valley View Care in Cottonwood, Arizona and to the Western Heritage Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Information provided by survivors. |
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