Don Miller's Obituary
Donald Lewis Miller, born in Dallas, Texas on March 2, 1948, to Reva Kuykendall Miller and Lewis B. Miller, left his earthly home and passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 9, 2023. Don donated his body to UT Southwestern Medical School.
As a young boy, Don loved driving quarter midget race cars, playing baseball, and being a Boy Scout. He attended Mount Auburn Elementary School, J.L. Long Junior High School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. After graduation from Woodrow, Don attended The University of North Texas and The University of Texas at Arlington, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.
Don met the love of his life, Nancy Ann Foster, at Woodrow Wilson High School, and they married on September 5, 1968. They celebrated 54 years of marriage together. Don and Nancy attended Wilshire Baptist Church with their children.
Don joined the Dallas Police Department in 1967. In 1969, he took a leave of absence to serve in the U.S. Navy, returning to the Police Department after his active duty. He loved serving and protecting the citizens of Dallas, forming lifelong friendships with his brothers in blue. Upon leaving the Department, Don and his dad started a business together, Millers’ Painting and Decorating, working at the Apparel Mart, Menswear Mart and World Trade Center. After his dad retired from the business, Don worked for Chubb Insurance Company as a paralegal, was Director of Security at Presbyterian Village North Retirement Community, and worked at Restland Funeral Home, where he assisted the funeral directors in serving families in their time of loss. Don retired from Restland to enjoy spending time with his family and friends.
As grandchildren began to arrive, Don became “Poppa” to all he loved. For Ella, Tannin, Miller and Beckett, it was often “Poppa Bear” or “The Teasing Poppa!” He loved his grands!
Don is predeceased by his parents, Reva and Lewis Miller and baby sister, Patricia Ann Miller, brother-in-law Randy Foster and nephew Jerod Payne. Survivors include wife Nancy Miller, daughter Patricia Miller Farnbach and husband, Jay, and their children, Ella, Tannin, Miller and Beckett, son Ryan Miller, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gayle and Jim Ellis and family, brother-in-law and-sister in-law Greg and Rachel Foster and family, sister-in-law Sherry Foster and family, sister Judy Payne and husband David and family, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Don is also predeceased by and survived by many of his brothers-in-blue and the Dallas Police Department Retirees Group, with whom he had a special bond and who meant so much him. He looked forward to every breakfast and lunch meeting with them all. Don truly considered them to be his brothers. His bond with those officers was a forever bond, and we’re certain family, friends, and many of those officers who went before him greeted him with open arms in Heaven.
There will be a celebration of life for Don on Saturday, July 29th, at 2:00 PM, at Restland Funeral Home, with a reception following. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is greatly missed every day. Don was our rock, and we are grateful for the time we shared with him. We have the assurance we will meet again someday in Paradise. What a joyful reunion that will be!
What’s your fondest memory of Don?
What’s a lesson you learned from Don?
Share a story where Don's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Don you’ll never forget.
How did Don make you smile?