Obituary: Miller, Gerald E. “Jerry”
Age 100
He was born on March 17, 1915 in Oakesdale, WA to George R. and Cora Miller.
His parents moved to the farm near Belmont when Jerry was three years old.
He attended grade school at Belmont and graduated from Garfield High School.
He began his farming career after high school graduation and drove his last combine the year he was 80.
He married Dora May Opstrup on March 20, 1945.
They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary prior to Dora’s death in 2013.
Jerry was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garfield, Oakesdale Masonic Lodge, Whitman County Shrine Club, Order of the Eastern Star, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, and Washington State Crop Improvement Association.
He was a founding member, and first president, of the Washington Dry Pea and Lentil Association that established the Washington Dry Pea and Lentil Commission.
He was a loyal supporter of WSU, both their agricultural research and their athletic programs.
Jerry loved every aspect of farming.
He particularly enjoyed socializing with his many friends; playing bridge, attending sporting events, and enjoying picnics and parties year round.
Survivors include his: daughter Judith (Rich) Olson of Garfield; son James (Sandra) Miller of Falls Church, VA; five grandsons - Andrew (Stacie) Olson of Garfield; Jeffery Olson of Pasvik, Norway; Matthew (Allison) Miller of New York City, NY; Jon (Jonelle) Olson of Garfield; Adam (Amber) Miller of Phoenix, AZ; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and three brothers.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Garfield Christian Fellowship Church, Garfield, WA followed by a Masonic burial service at the Oakesdale Cemetery in Oakesdale, WA at 2:00 p.m. Reverend King Rockhill will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ladow Court Assisted Living, PO Box 391, Garfield; the Shriners Hospital in Spokane; or any charity of the donor’s choice.
KRAMER FUNERAL HOME of Palouse, WA will be arranging the service.