Keeping up with the Jones: Robert W. Miller, My Dad

I finally have time to think about what I want to say about my sweet dad who passed away last week. Those of you who knew him knew how faithful, stalwart and true he was when it came to his testimony of Christ and the gospel. He gave me the gift of faith through his example and all the little things he did every day. He spent time with me, he taught me, he took one of his children on a date every week, we had family home evening and he woke us every morning to read scriptures by playing "Old Susannah," on the Harmonica. Although he fought many illnesses throughout his life, you would never have known. He was a well, sick person. He lived life like he was doing great. We thought he would only live until he was 40, so 83 was pretty good. He and my mom had a romance for the books. They were smitten until the end. I personally felt like that is why he stayed around so long. I always admired my dad and quoted him for years. I still do. He was wise and intelligent, but he always trusted God over his own wisdom. Since he was little he wanted to be a farmer and have animals. He hitchhiked to BYU and ended up being a dentist with a hobby farm instead. He especially loved chickens and growing watermelons. One family reunion he had about 20 melons ready to be opened. We could have one all to ourselves. He was always learning and coming up with some exciting creation, whether it was painting pictures of my mom, building a greenhouse, designing a donkey rocking horse or making a treasure chest for a child with original carvings. In the rest home, he was growing tomatoes and still looking for people to serve. As the greeter for church, people just loved to talk to him. I love and adore my dad with all of his strengths and weaknesses. He lived life to it's fullest. I am proud to be his daughter and so thankful that God gave me such an incredible dad. Mary Miller Jones

My wonderful grandpa passed away this morning after a few years of failing health. I looked up to him in every way. He was talented, sharp, humble, very cool and strong. He was a great dancer and an excellent artist. It was such a treat when he would sketch us our portrait. When he visited, he would take us on individual grandkid dates, and he’d let me show him all of my tricks. He loved God, he loved my grandma, and he loved his family. He was the very best of men.

A couple weeks ago we were able to visit him and my grandma. I was grateful for that visit then, but I’m so grateful now. LaMar even gave some of the best smiles he has ever given during that visit. I’ll treasure this happy photo always.

Til we meet again, Grandpa Miller. I love you so so much. ❤️

Megan’s wonderful father, Robert Miller passed away this week being 83 years old and married to Janet Miller for 60 years. He was a tremendous father, valiant in his faith and his service to others. Rob was a great example to me of a man that was solid in his convictions, always creating something cool and deeply loved Megan’s mother.

When Megan and I were first married and living in California, we would drive to Dos Palos on the weekends often and visit her parents. His farm was full of fruit, art projects (life-sized, carved out of a tree Pete’s Dragon), homemade forts, zip lines, chickens and his free-roaming peacock, Warren Beatty.

I enjoyed being with and helping him on the farm w various projects during these weekends. Conversations were enjoyable and I appreciated his candor, opinions, and perspective. He had many opinions and enjoyed a good debate. 🙂

Of the many things that he and I spoke about, the single thing that he shared with me that has made a lasting impact on me was this...”My life has been great amidst all of my many trials because I have followed the smartest being in the universe. Heavenly Father made more out of my life than I could have ever made for myself”. He loved God and showed it in his actions!

Thank you, Dad, for sharing your talents, being a true friend to me and loving those around you. You are deeply loved and missed! Travis Liston

One of my greatest art inspirations passed away last week—my Grandpa. He was so talented and creative!

When he’d come visit, he’d have me and my siblings sit for individual portraits. These are treasures!

One of my favorite things to do when he visited was to have an art lesson. It was so special to spend time with him and learn from the master (pretty much Da Vinci in my eyes.) He let me use his nice pastels and watercolors.

The second picture is when he taught me how to paint a sunset at age 8. He taught me how to fade the warm colors into the blue sky and how the shapes in front of the sunset were black silhouettes. I was so proud to sign my name to it! But looking back now, I can see his swatches of color in the top corner and his pencil drawing underneath the black sharpie that I traced.

Such a special Grandpa. Kathryn Christensen Mitchell

My Grandpa Miller passed away January 12, 2019. He was an incredible artist and was consistently learning and creating! He loved the Lord and always sought to serve Him. He and my grandma had (in their words) “the greatest love affair of all time” and their love set a great example for me! He was the smartest and kindest and I’ll forever treasure all my memories with him. It was bittersweet to be able to gather with family to celebrate his life. I love this part from the life history he wrote.. “I'm just a simple farm boy at heart. I enjoy the same things that caught my interest when I was a kid on the farm. My greatest joy in life has been being a husband to my honey, Janet, and father to my children. Katelyn Jones Sheanshang