John Francis Miller, of Hailey, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2009.
He was born on June 30, 1926, in Salina, Kan., to Fred and Rhea Miller. John was the 11th of 12 children.
In 1936, after the Dust Bowl hit Kansas, John's parents were forced to quit farming and move to Idaho, where John's father had secured employment.
John attended schools in Hailey and joined the Army in 1944. After his discharge from the Army in 1947, he returned to Hailey, and on May 13, 1948, he married Virginia Nelson, also of Hailey. John and Virginia had just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
John was, by trade, a mechanic, working for 25 years at Sawtooth Motors in Hailey. John and his son, Mark, owned and operated Hailey Chevron for seven years. At the time of his retirement in 1993, he was working for the city of Hailey as the supervisor of the riverside wastewater treatment plant.
Many will remember John for his love of cars—and making them go fast. Shortly after returning from military service, he built and raced his cars around southern Idaho, winning many titles and earning the nickname "Joltin' Johnny."
John was also an excellent skier and he taught his three children as well as his wife how to ski. The family spent many winter weekends skiing at Rotarun ski area west of Hailey. Later, John became interested in snowmobiling and his son Mark joined his father in the love of that sport for many years. John was immensely proud of his family.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Hailey; three children, Marilyn (Tom) Parker, of Boise, Idaho, Mary (Dave) Morely, also of Boise, and Mark (Rustin) Miller, of Hailey; five grandchildren, Sara Calhoun, Joel Parker, Whitney Parker, Avin Carroll, Jozey Mitcham; two great-grandchildren, Alec Higley, Jayden Calhoun; and two sisters, Dorothy Sandow, of Abilene, Kan., and Rhea Rubino, of Saratoga, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and five brothers.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Blaine County Senior Center.
Graveside services will be held at the Hailey Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. Friends and family are welcome to join the family after the service at 2 p.m. at the Blaine County Senior Center. A light lunch will be served.
Arrangements are being made by the Wood River Chapel in Hailey, www.woodriverchapel.com.
