More detail on this person: Kenneth Ellsworth Miller was born February 25, 1944. His life was full and rich with experiences and family. His father was in the military for all of Ken's youth and they traveled the world. His most vivid childhood memories were of Japan and High School in Killeen, Texas. Travel and military service were in his blood. He went to college to prepare for joining the Army and getting into flight school, in the hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot. Never one to be deterred, when he wasn't accepted into flight school he applied to the Special Forces. He completed the necessary training, including jump school and proudly served as a Staff Sergeant for three years as a Demolitionist cross-trained in Small Arms within a Green Beret A Team in Germany. Upon returning to the States, Ken completed the Warrant Officer program and was accepted into flight school. He flew in Vietnam with the 281st AHC. He was proud to be part of the Wolfpack, a support helicopter gunship unit for the 5th Special Forces. He was a decorated officer who was awarded numerous military campaign and service medals. Most notably and the one he was the most proud of was the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also awarded two Bronze Stars and the Air Medal, as well as several other service and campaign medals. After Vietnam he met his future wife, 2nd Lt. Sharyn Boody, Army Nurse Corps. They were married May 22, 1970, and had four beautiful children of whom they could not be more proud. Ken retired from the military in May of 1983 as a Major and moved to the Port Angeles area to raise his family. He went from decorated military officer to setting up shop as a Farrier, enjoying his retirement making horses feel better and raising his family. After six years he began a third career, Author. He wrote one book which he self-published and sold nationally and internationally, Have you Kicked Your Horseshoer Today. He also wrote seventeen screen plays. One, Missing in America, made it to production, starring Danny Glover, Linda Hamilton, Ron Perlman, David Strathairn and Zoe Weizenbaum. Shortly after this production Ken suffered a stroke and he stopped writing. But nothing stopped him from having an active relationship with his children and grandchildren and his many grandchildren adopted into his heart. Ken lived a full and wonderful life surrounded by those that loved him. He loved racquetball, paintball, scuba, water and snow skiing, and collecting cars. In his later years he discovered his love for golf and spent many happy times on the green. Ken is survived by his sisters, JeanAnn Lynch, Debbie Duffy (Jeff), his devoted wife Sharyn, his children Shane (Coral), Jody, Scott (Katheena), and Clint. His grandchildren, Curtis, Brynn, Brianna, Sophia, Allyson, Kaylena, Emma and Aubri. Ken died March 1, 2018, with his wife at his side. His tee-shirts, sense of adventure, and infectious laugh will be missed by all that knew him. He was not only a decorated military hero, but a hero to his family. A celebration of life will be held March 17th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Dungeness Meadows club house, at 461 Dungeness Meadows (off of River Road) in Sequim. Dress is casual. The family requests contributions to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle.
This information was last updated 07/27/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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