Birth date: Apr 26, 1957 Death date: Mar 1, 2006
Michael “Mike” James Miller, age 48, of Costa Mesa, CA (formerly Grand Haven, MI) passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2006 in Newport Beach, CA. Mike was born April 26, 1957 to James L. and Marcia A. (Blizzard) Miller in Lansing, MI. Read Obituary
A message from the United Kingdom:
Mike, you salt of the earth man, you man of great wisdom in cars and places and people. We shall miss you and drink to you as we look at your black and white photography. We will be honoured to meet you on the other side. Here's till then.--
Sharry and Warwick Madden--
Kent County, UK##imported-begin##Sharry and Warwick Madden##imported-end##
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you (the family). I loved Mike as a brother, he was by best friend. I will miss him dearly for he was part of me and my life. We were partners in mischeif and projects. We crafted guitars, guitar amps, wood projects, computers, car parts (Mercedes), and the list goes on.... He was very unique and one of a kind. His heart was as big as the sky with generosity and kindness. Mike would do anything, and I mean anything, to help a friend. He was hardworking and self-sacrificing. Mike had an incredible work ethic. I don't think he missed more than 2 or 3 days of work in all of his years at UCI. He was strong as a Bull and yet gentle as a lamb. Mike loved animals and animals sure loved Mike. He had an energy about him that animals could sense, and were drawn to him. He had the patience of a Tibeten monk, more than I can say for myself. Mike taught me many things and was a great role-model. Mike was a better man than I and I am going to miss both him and his counsel.##imported-begin##Jim Peat##imported-end##
I just heard that we all lost Mike. I hadn't seen him in years. I remember his love of music. His kind nature will be missed. He had a good sense of humor and was easy for me to be around. So many musicians are so full of themselves. Mike was not. He never was mean. Gracious and polite. A big hole is left. I hope to visit him someday in a perfect place.##imported-begin##Ned Rouse##imported-end##
My memories of Mike can be summed up by saying he was always the quiet, voice of reason.##imported-begin##Matt Nygren##imported-end##
It is hard to find the right words which would encompass all that Mike has meant to our family. He was gentle and giving and a beautiful human being who brought so much fun and laughter to each moment we were lucky to have spent with him.
I met Mike through my husband Steve who has some great friends and Mike was, without a doubt, at the top of the heap. It is with Mike’s sudden passing that I am reminded to live life more fully and to not sweat the small stuff. I will treasure the video tape of our wedding which Mike videotaped as a gift to us. It reflects his artistry, creativity and originality. I will remember him being a part of our children’s lives and what a gift that was. I will embrace and soak into me all the beautiful qualities that Mike possessed and draw on them for strength in the times ahead. My friend, Mike had something so special embedded in his spirit and I will forever miss him. God’s blessings to Mike’s family and his friends.
Cathy Gamby-Weideman
friend & UCI alumni.##imported-begin##Cathy Weideman##imported-end##
How wonderful to read familiar names of people I haven't seen since High School and hear their stories about Mike. Equally fascinating is reading about Mike's career at UCI. More recently I would just hear Mike's name in passing now and again when my brother would visit him in CA. When we were all in High School, Duke and Mike were in and out of our house with my brother, Steve, rehearsing for the next gig. I remember the Jam Sessions they had in the basement. We moved to G.H. when Steve was a Junior in H.S. The love of music brought Mike and Steve together.
I remember Mike as do others, nice, kind, and upbeat. He was not your typical self-absorbed teen. When my brother Steve emailed to tell me about Mike, like everyone else, I was stunned. I just wanted to share how our family enjoyed Mike and will miss him. I am so sad for my brother, Mike's friends and his family.##imported-begin##Meg Weideman##imported-end##
To Marcia, Laurie, Duke and Scott:
We send our most heartfelt sympathy to you and your families. Our prayers and thoughts of Mike are in our hearts.
Sincerely, Dave and Anick##imported-begin##COL.& Mrs. David J Poel##imported-end##
I worked in the same department as Mike and used to talk to him regularly in the mornings on my way in to the office. I retired last year and have not seen him for a while. He was always helpful with projects and a real pleasure to talk to. He willbe sorely missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.##imported-begin##Janet Ristow##imported-end##
To Mike's family and friends in Michigan - know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing him with us. Mike has been a "go-to" guy for me for the last 15+ years. From fixing VCRs, to advice on how to tackle a technical problem, to championing opportunities for students, I could always count on him. Any time I had a seemingly random question, I always thought "Mike will know." So many people in the world immediately think of obstacles to new projects, but Mike thought of solutions and saw opportunities. His generosity of spirit was inspiring. I'm having such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he's gone. UCI has lost a treasure.##imported-begin##Judi Franz##imported-end##
I work at UCI. Mike had a huge heart. One of the kindest of men. This is one of my biggest reasons I am sorry to see he go. He was easy to talk with and very willing if his experties were needed even if it was not his job description. He was that kind of person. I visited Mike in the hospital the Sunday before he died. It was a nice visit and I felt blessed to have had that private time with him. To the family members I wish you well, and I'll be seeing you at UCI Memorial.##imported-begin##Michelle Scott##imported-end##
