John Buren Miller, Jr.

Avon – John Buren Miller, Jr. of Avon “Kinnakeet” passed away gracefully into the arms of almighty God on Wednesday, September 2 at 9:15 am. John was born in Portsmouth, VA on March 21, 1961. He lived in several locations over the years as his father John Miller, Sr. traveled and served in the United States Coast guard. John would always identify Avon as his “home” no matter how far and abroad the Coast Guard may have took him. He was a Kinnakeeter through and through. John followed in his father’s footsteps and served in the United States Coast Guard as well for a total of 7 years with honorable discharge. He lived for being in and on the water as it was his passion and he would soon become known as one of the best captains the sea had ever had the pleasure of sharing a home with.

After the Coast Guard, John started working for the North Carolina Ferry division and quickly made rank as captain and would spend many days and nights as captain on the ferry to Ocracoke. John loved his family and friends deeply and they always came first in whatever it was he did. Family was his true passion and being a father was always his greatest accomplishment. John also loved to ride his Harley Davidson and spend time with his “Southern Riders” brothers. I’m sure you passed him at least once with his band of brothers by his side as he rode his “steel horse”. The Southern Riders became a big part of his live in his last couple years and they quickly became a family to him, or as he would put it a “brotherhood”.

John is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jettie Miller and his son Blake Wesley Miller. He is also survived by his mother Nita Miller, sister Teresa Midgett and husband Barry, and aunt Rose Scarborough. John is also survived by his niece Amanda Midgett and his great niece Jasmine Midgett. He is survived by his uncle Dallas Miller and his aunt Lois Miller along with their daughter Michelle Miller. John is survived as well by his many other nieces and nephews including Daniel Midgett and Matt Midgett as well as Rebekah Midgett. Other nieces and nephews included Preston, Waylan, Caleb, Ember, Emma, Ross, and Koleton Blake. He is survived by his sister in laws Donna Midgett, Cindy Brown, and Ronda.  John is pre-deceased by his father John Miller, Sr., his nephew Justin Keith Yopp, and his grandparents Alvin and Edna Price also including Dallas Miller, Sr. and Lucy Miller.

John had many people he considered family. Even though they may not have been blood relatives, it was just the kind of heart he had and the kind of person he was. John was known for his ongoing generosity, always giving to people and was always dependable to lend a helping hand to anyone who was in need. John will be greatly missed by many not only in his community but also from abroad. John touched the lives of many during his 54 years of life and he always said that he wanted to do one simple good deed a day; no matter how big or small so even though it might not change the world, that good deed just might change somebody’s world and to him that’s all that counted.

Johnny became a guardian to many not only as a father, uncle or friend, but a protector to many. John was a fisher of men. The lord only knows how many lives were saved or impacted by John for the better. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

A funeral service will be held 3pm, Sunday, September 6, 2015 at St. John United Methodist Church in Avon.  The reverend Benjamin Wolf will officiate. Burial will be private.

Any donations that would like to be provided the family has requested it go to Gallop Funeral Services in Nags Head in helping financially with funeral expenses and the family in general.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.