MURRYSVILLE, Pa. – Dr. Thomas Allan “Al” Miller, Murrysville, Pa, died Sept. 22, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in 1928 in Boston, Ga. to Thomas I and Pearl Roper Miller. In 1954, he married Violet J. VanRy, the love of his life, who preceded him in death. He spent his early years in Thomasville, Ga., growing up on the family farm. Later, they moved to a farm in Niles, Mich. Upon graduation from Niles High School, he worked as an arc welder for Studebaker in South Bend. He attained his private pilot's license in 1949. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950. He served as a master sergeant in the Fifth Army Area during the Korean War, working trans harbor craft. He was awarded the Bronze Combat Star for his service. He attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1960 with a doctorate of veterinary medicine. He purchased Milford Large Animal Clinic, and practiced there for over 35 years. He is a lifetime honor roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He participated in field studies for pharmaceutical companies, and working with his partners, brought innovative, compassionate care to his clients. He was loved and admired by his clients and colleagues for his honesty, sincerity, integrity and intellect. As a dedicated father, and a fun, loving grandfather, he taught by example. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren and loved them dearly. Golf, fishing and a love of nature and the outdoors were just some of his passions. He loved sharing these activities with his friends and family. Dedicated to the service of others, he was a lifetime member of the Lions Club and he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian services to Lions Club's International Foundation. He was a Shriner and a 32nd-degree Mason and received an Award of Gold from his home lodge in Indiana. He was a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, acting as a lay leader. He served for more than 10 years as president of the Milford Town Council, and was awarded the Citizen of the Year award in 1980 by the Milford Area Development Committee for his work in the community. He and Violet moved to Murrysville after his retirement in 1997. Here he was a member of the Holiday Park United Methodist Church, the Lions club, and performed many volunteer activities. He loved a good joke and making people laugh. He saw the humor in life and enjoyed brightening people’s lives with a funny story. The many and varied experiences of his life became the fodder for his stories, which he loved to share. He was a devoted and loving husband and cherished his wife all of his life. Surviving are three brothers: Roy Miller, Niles, Mich.; Henry (and spouse Caroleene) Miller, Tremont, Ill. ; Herbert (and spouse Marcia) Miller, Statesville, N.C.; two children, Paul (and spouse Michelle) Miller, Fountain Hills, Ariz.; Tamara (and spouse James) Zeliff, Export, Pa.; three grandchildren: Dustin, Alexandra and Haley Zeliff; 11 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Miller Young, and a brother-in-law, Fred Young. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Holiday Park United Methodist Church. Hart Funeral Home, Murrysville, is entrusted with arrangements. ***** Memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org or the Redstone Highlands Benevolent Care Fund at Redstonehighlands.org/Murrysville Condolences may be sent via www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com
