Obituary for Douglas J. Miller
Douglas J. Miller, 83 of East Asheville, passed away on May 14, 2022. Known simply as Doug to everyone, he was a friend to anyone he met and never met a stranger.
Doug was born in Canton, NC in 1939, to Agnes and Clayton Miller. In his early adult life he lived in Marion, SC and later moved to Enka, NC, and then eventually settled in the east Asheville/Swannanoa area, where he lived with his wife Jean. In addition to his loving wife Jean, Doug is survived by his sister, Beverly Heatherly; his son, Ken Miller; his daughter, Melissa Miller Smith (Jamie); his stepdaughter, Tammy Ayers; his stepson, James Ayers (Dana); as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Jackie West and Tennie Fore.
Doug retired from Beacon Manufacturing in Swannanoa as a supervisor where he worked for much of his career. Doug was a hard worker and loved carpentry, dock building and construction, all of which he was quite skilled at. He was also known for his baking, his specialties were German chocolate cake and fudge. Doug also enjoyed and loved spending time with his family. He spent his retirement in the constant companionship of his wife, Jean. They enjoyed spending time at Lake James and could often be found on their boat fishing. He will be especially missed by his longtime friends, Gene Candler and Tommy Wilson.
Doug was active in his community and was raised a Master Mason in 1972, in Clinton, SC and was a member of Black Mountain Lodge. One of his great passions in Masonry was being a Shriner and actively supporting The Shrine’s children’s charities. Doug could often be found weekends with his Shrine brothers selling newspapers and raising money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Doug was happiest when he was helping others.
A small family service will be held to celebrate Doug’s life on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 2:00pm at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift in Doug’s name can be made to: Shriner’s Oasis Mountain Buggies, 7 Tamarac Circle, Asheville, NC 28807.
Doug was born in Canton, NC in 1939, to Agnes and Clayton Miller. In his early adult life he lived in Marion, SC and later moved to Enka, NC, and then eventually settled in the east Asheville/Swannanoa area, where he lived with his wife Jean. In addition to his loving wife Jean, Doug is survived by his sister, Beverly Heatherly; his son, Ken Miller; his daughter, Melissa Miller Smith (Jamie); his stepdaughter, Tammy Ayers; his stepson, James Ayers (Dana); as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Jackie West and Tennie Fore.
Doug retired from Beacon Manufacturing in Swannanoa as a supervisor where he worked for much of his career. Doug was a hard worker and loved carpentry, dock building and construction, all of which he was quite skilled at. He was also known for his baking, his specialties were German chocolate cake and fudge. Doug also enjoyed and loved spending time with his family. He spent his retirement in the constant companionship of his wife, Jean. They enjoyed spending time at Lake James and could often be found on their boat fishing. He will be especially missed by his longtime friends, Gene Candler and Tommy Wilson.
Doug was active in his community and was raised a Master Mason in 1972, in Clinton, SC and was a member of Black Mountain Lodge. One of his great passions in Masonry was being a Shriner and actively supporting The Shrine’s children’s charities. Doug could often be found weekends with his Shrine brothers selling newspapers and raising money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Doug was happiest when he was helping others.
A small family service will be held to celebrate Doug’s life on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 2:00pm at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift in Doug’s name can be made to: Shriner’s Oasis Mountain Buggies, 7 Tamarac Circle, Asheville, NC 28807.