George William Miller Jr.

George Miller, a long-time Las Cruces resident who spent his career at White Sands Missile Range, was active in local and state organizations, and spent his retirement years in service to the community, died on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023. He was 89. George William Miller, Jr. was born on December 5, 1933 in Columbus, New Mexico to George W. Miller, Sr. and Mary Frances (Guerrero) Miller. He was the oldest of seven children. He attended high school in Deming, New Mexico and then enrolled in New Mexico State University, known then as NM A&M. Studying electrical engineering, he was in the first group of students in the NMSU-White Sands co-op program, where his first assignment in 1952 was in the Missile-borne Guidance and Control Division. After graduation, he spent his military tour with the U.S. Army at White Sands, serving from 1959-1961 as a scientific and engineering specialist. He then continued in civil service with the Department of Army as a communications engineer, advancing to the role of Director of Communications for White Sands Missile Range. He retired after 36 years of service. During his working years, George was also active in local, state, and national organizations. He served on the Las Cruces City Commission from 1970-1974, where he helped form and served as chairman of the Southern Rio Grande Council of Governments. He was appointed by Senator Pete Domenici to the United States Commission for UNESCO, serving as the only New Mexican on the commission. George served as President of the local Jaycees chapter and Vice-President of the state Jaycees. He also served as a member of the New Mexico Border Commission and the Criminal Justice Planning Council. In retirement, George continued his work in the community, volunteering with the Las Cruces Emergency Food Bank, Casa de Peregrinos, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, helping low-income and elderly people complete their taxes. He was on the Board of Directors for Casa de Peregrinos for 25 years and served as its chairman for 12 years. During that time, he worked with Senator Domenici to secure a federal grant to support the construction of the building currently housing Casa de Peregrinos. He was also a member of the Las Cruces Rotary Club, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his contributions. George is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 58 years, Kaye Miller. He is also survived by two children, Cynthia Miller (Vanessa Martin) and William Miller (Cathy), and six grandchildren, Marissa Miller-White (Aaron White), Adrian Miller, Gabriel Martin, Madelyn Miller, Macy Miller, and Max Miller. He is also survived by two brothers, Art Miller and Ernest Miller, and one sister, Virginia Miller. Another son, Patrick Miller, died in 2015. A soft-spoken and analytical engineer, he loved his work and years at White Sands. But he was especially proud of his work in the later years of his life with Casa de Peregrinos and Community of Hope. As he would say, he lived the Jaycee creed: Service to humanity is the best work of life. No service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to Casa de Peregrinos or Community of Hope would be appreciated.