Miller, Thomas

Thomas Allen Miller, 75, of Big Oak Flat, passed away on October 17, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side.

Tom was born on December 2, 1948 in Oakland California and grew up in Montclair. During his youth, he enjoyed delivering newspapers on his paper route, playing the French horn, taking shop classes, and riding his bike throughout the Oakland-Berkeley Hills and Tilden Regional Park. Tom also spent many days at Berkeley’s Iceland where he raced as a speed skater and drove the Zamboni. He met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Patricia, at the rink.

Tom graduated from Skyline High School in 1967, joined the U.S. Coast Guard, and married Pat in 1968. Tom served as an engineman on the Icebreaker Mackinaw in Cheboygan, Michigan. He was very proud to serve his country and quickly rose to the rank of E6.

After his time on the Great Lakes, Tom returned to California and received a BS in Engineering. He moved to Sonora in 1976 and began his career as a mechanical engineer with Guy F. Atkinson. During his time at Atkinson, he worked on various projects in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, including Lake Melones dam and powerhouse. Several of Tom’s coworkers and fellow engineers at Atkinson became lifelong friends. His work in industrial construction brought the family to South Carolina for several years. They returned to Sonora in 1985 and moved to Big Oak Flat in 1993.

Before retiring, Tom worked as the staff engineer for the Groveland Community Services District and ran his own business consulting on civil engineering projects.

Tom was a lifelong learner and he enjoyed reading books on all subjects and taking art classes. His sense of humor will be missed, especially his creative use of puns. Tom’s hobbies included bird watching, photography, sailing, hiking, listening to music, and enjoying nature. He especially loved taking road trips on his motorcycle to the coast and Yosemite.

Tom is survived by his daughter Ariana Miller and son-in- law Jason of Belmont, North Carolina; daughter Wendy Moresi, son-in-law John and grandchildren Colby and Trevor of Orangevale, California; brother Jan Miller and sister-in- law Ramona of Arizona; sister Lynn Howard and brother-in- law Greg of Oregon; nephew Morgan Miller, wife Laura, Austin and Grace of San Diego; and nephew Barry Howard, wife LaNora, and William of Idaho.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Patricia Miller, his parents Dale and Marjorie Miller, and his niece Tiffany Miller.

Tom was laid to rest at Mountain Shadow Cemetery in Sonora. Donations in his honor can be made to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the National Audubon Society.

 

• Date of Death: 10/17/2024
• Age: 75
• Residence: Big Oak Flat, California
• Services: A Memorial Service for Thomas will be held at Terzich & Wilson Cremation Funeral home, located at 225 East Rose Street, Sonora, California on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 1PM.