Thomas Miller

Obituary for Thomas Patrick Miller

Thomas Patrick Miller, age 68, passed away on October 09, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Born June 12, 1954 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he was the son of the late Bryan E. Miller and Lorraine Margaret Miller.

Tom graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe, NM in 1972 before earning his degree in water and wastewater management from New Mexico State University in 1978.

After graduation, Tom worked for the town of Louisville, CO as superintendent of water/wastewater plants before accepting the position of Utilities Director in Angel Fire, NM. He rose to the position of vice president of operations and maintenance for Angel Fire Services Corp. and was presented with the Max Summerlot Award for the best water system in New Mexico. Tom also worked in water/wastewater management in Santa Fe, NM and Raton, NM before moving his family to Grand Junction, CO to open Mr. Payroll in 1995. Tom owned several different businesses and worked in a number of industries before retiring from Solvay Chemical as an operations technician in 2016.

Tom was an avid athlete throughout high school where he played tennis and ran track but was most passionate about basketball. He continued to enjoy sports into adulthood and could also be found camping, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, gardening, playing horseshoes, working out and spending time with his family.

Tom was known for his great sense of humor and was often the life of the party. He was able to tell a story like no one else and could have his audience rolling on the floor in laughter or crying tears of sentiment with his thoughtful and measured words.

Though Tom had several professional and athletic accomplishments he was most proud of raising his three daughters, and later, being “Buelo” to his five grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his daughters; Jolene Pietz, Jacqueline Miller, Miquela (Brett) Kinney, grandchildren; Kincaid Perdue, Wesley Pietz, Archer Kinney, Klaire Cole, Adley Kinney, ex-wife, Ellisa Apodaca, brothers; Michael (Marie) Miller, Alan Miller, Todd (Linda) Miller, Kelly (Patricia) Miller, Sean (Tawnya) Miller, sisters; Karen (Jeff) Boden, Kathleen (Mike) Pressley, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on October 21, 2022 at 11:00AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grand Junction, CO followed by burial at Orchard Mesa Cemetery at 12:30PM.

There will also be a viewing/rosary on October 20, 2022 beginning at 5:30PM at Brown’s Cremation and Burial Services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, where he was a monthly donor.