Jeffrey R. Miller, 65, of Palm Desert, California, passed away on June 10th, 2020, surrounded by his family and friends after a hard-fought 18 month battle against Glioblastoma cancer.
Jeff was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 6th, 1955, to Fern and Burton (Burt) Miller, where he attended Sullivan High School and Harry Truman and Kendall Colleges.
For most of his professional career, Jeff worked alongside Burt at the family clothing business. In 1981 they closed the store in Chicago at 314 S. State Street to relocate to Rancho Mirage, California. There they operated 7th Avenue West very successfully until Burt retired in 2005. A highlight of their work together was the yearly buying trips to New York, Dallas, and Las Vegas.
After Burt’s retirement, Jeff launched his career as a Real Estate agent broker. He was known for his love of an excellent deal and for being remarkably thorough, making sure no undotted i’s made it into the final agreement.
Jeff was a man of seemingly endless curiosity. He loved the challenge of something new, and he unearthed joy in conquering hurdles. When Jeff wasn’t working, he was a man of many hobbies. To name a few, he was a saxophone player, racquetball expert, black belt in martial arts, master scuba diver, above-average bowler, touring cyclist, music aficionado – live and recorded, local theater actor, ER extra, and coffee connoisseur.
He was a surrogate father to many, offering his time, expertise, and wisdom with an attentiveness that characterized his trademark way of loving others. Jeff was always willing to lend a hand; he rode his bike to raise money for the American Diabetes Association and supported many other charities.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Diana (Lombardo) Miller, their son Aaron (Sabrina), and grandson Shauf. Jeff had a habit of making everyone part of his family, and Diana’s children Angela and Nathan are no exception. Angela (Charlie) Hawkins and their three girls: Annabelle (Christian) Orosco, and their four children, Marlee, Christian Jr., twins Cataleya and Catalina, Olivia, and Stella. Nathan Williams, his lovely fiancée Melyssa Ritter, and Nate’s two children, Tallula and Thatcher, will always be a part of Jeff’s family and home.
Jeff is also survived by his mother, Fern, who adored and loved her son with great affection and kvell, as well as by his two siblings: brother Marc (Cathy), and their three children; Shannon, Joel (Kate), and Alan (Noël), and sister, Jewel (Jeffrey) Shapiro. His beloved pup Ollie still misses him every day.
Jeff left an unfillable void in the lives and hearts of his family and friends. He was a one-of-a-kind brother, uncle, father, husband, son, cycling companion, and friend. His life and untimely passing have inspired everyone who knew him to love each other a little deeper and face new challenges head-on without flinching.
Please make any donations in his memory to The American Brain Tumor Association.
