Tragic Death

It is with the deepest sympathy for the family, friends and loved ones we express our respect for John Miller who lived his life with courage and dedication to all those he came into contact with as a firefighter and as a citizen.

Captain John Clayton Miller, 51, of Wilmington, died Thursday, March 13, 2008.

John was born October 15, 1956 in Belhaven, NC, son of Christopher James Miller, Jr. and Alice Lee Clayton Miller.

John graduated from New Hanover High School in 1974. He was a man of varied interests and many talents. He started as an engineer with CSX Railroad for ten years and later progressed to Fire Captain with the Wilmington Fire Department during his seventeen-year career. John was a past President of the Wilmington Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 129 and a member of the Tactical Rescue Team. He was an avid boat Captain and scuba diver. John was an accomplished pilot; he had his private pilot license with multi engine rating and commercial rating. In addition to these accomplishments, he also started his own business, "Maintenance Services, Inc.", which provided servicing for many volunteer fire department vehicles. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend who will be dearly missed.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife, Linda Miller; two daughters, Kellie Miller Sarabhaivanij and husband, Nick, of Orlando, FL, and Lindsay Miller of Wilmington; brother, Christopher Miller of Rocky Point, NC; and numerous extended family.