Lewis Mike "Mick" Miller

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Lewis Mike Miller on May 13, 2026. Born November 8, 1939, in Toledo, Oregon, he was the first child of Mike Miller and Leona Nickelson Miller. Although given the name Lewis, he was often referred to as “Little Mike” in his younger years. His Mom didn't care for that, so he became "Mick" to his family and many friends throughout his lifetime.

Mike grew up on the family farm in Siletz, Oregon graduating from Siletz High School in 1958. He developed a love of sports at an early age and played football, basketball and baseball.

Post high school, he went on to play baseball at Clark Community College as a pitcher before attending and graduating from Oregon State University in 1963 with a degree in agricultural education and became an avid sports fan of his alum amateur.

Just prior to his college graduation, he married Beverly Bjelde. They went on to create a family to include three children; Michael, Eric and Jennifer and were happily married for 49 years.

Mike’s first teaching position was in Eddyville, Oregon where he continued his love of sports and farming through coaching and leading the school’s Future Farmers of America Program. He furthered his career by moving his family to Milwaukie, Oregon where he developed, taught and became the administrator of Operation Green Thumb for the Portland Public School District; a program that bused students from the high schools to the facility to teach horticulture and floriculture.

Mike always had a love for politics like his father. Once retired, he sought and was elected as a counselor for the City of Milwaukie. He took great pride in being part of the growth of his hometown and worked on several projects during his time as a councilor, including the local war memorial and First Friday to support local businesses.

He also loved his family farm where he continued to work the cattle, walk the fields, mow, and bale the hay up until his passing.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly who passed in 2012.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carol; 3 children and their spouses, Karen, Ingrid and Steve; 9 grandchildren, Kailey, Stephanie, Courtney, Matt, Joshua, Kameryn, Justyn, Matthew and Caleb; 3 great-grandchildren, Blake, Saylor and August; and younger siblings, John, Nina and Aline.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Abundant Life Church in Damascus, OR. We ask that you wear Orange and Black to commentate his pride of being a graduate of OSU.