Gerald 'Jerry' Lee Miller, Jr.

Gerald (Jerry) Lee Miller, Jr., formerly of Thermopolis, Wyo., passed away the morning of April 18, 2024, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diane; and their children, Ashleigh (David), Jarrod, Anderson (Andrew), and Arica. He loved his kids more than anything and could not have been more proud of them. He is also survived by the lights of his life - grandchildren, Aiden, Connor, Adaline, Stella, Henry, Isaac and Michael; siblings, Jason (Nikki) and Tori; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and his father- and mother-in-law, Pastors Ken and Sally Doss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry, Sr. and Sheryl Miller; grandparents, Ivan and Elizabeth Jenkins and Larry and Pearl Miller; niece, Jalynn Miller; granddaughter, Evelyn "Figgie" Grace Gardner; and four grand-angels.

Jerry was born March 22, 1967, and raised in Kalkaska, Mich., where he met and married Diane Anderson at New Life Assembly of God. They were blessed with four children in five years.

Jerry was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan and was almost giddy working as security during Training Camp. He could put a smile on anyone's face and loved being surrounded by the people he most cared for, no matter if it was during a good meal, a card game or both. Jerry looked forward to his many adventures with his bro, Jason. White Fang and Nanook forever! Sundays were for coffee with his cousin, Jeff, and church. He began working at Glen's Market as a teenager, just like his father and grandfather before him.

To better support his growing family, Jerry moved into the oil and gas industry forming many great and lasting relationships. In 2010, he moved up the ladder, relocating to Thermopolis, Wyo., until returning to Kalkaska in 2023. He quickly fell in love with the western lifestyle and made many more friends, including Mike Carter, who he considered his "Wyoming dad". Jerry highly respected Carter and enjoyed playing golf with him. Although Jerry was very successful as "Safety Guy", his greatest success was being Papa. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of his rich and colorful life will be at the Kalkaska Church of Christ on May 16 at 11 a.m. with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until the service. You are invited to bring your own written memories of Jerry so that they can be shared amongst his friends and family.