Garry James Miller

August 1, 1952 – February 6, 2025

Garry James Miller was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 1, 1952 and passed away at his home in Enumclaw, surrounded by family on February 6, 2025 at the age of 72. Garry grew up in the small town of Geneva, near the shores of Lake Erie. Garry had many adventures as a young boy, swinging on rope swings and playing in the woods with his two oldest siblings, and as he worked with his best friend, Mario, at Mario’s father’s pool hall & arcade at the local vacation area,Geneva on the Lake. Then when he was in elementary school Garry’s father was disabled and the family situation changed. After working multiple newspaper routes to help support his family, it became clear to Garry that his future would be dependent upon his academic success. He then worked hard in school to graduate high school with honors. Through his involvement in cross country, he also developed his lifelong passion for physical health and working out.

Following high school Garry went on to attend Ohio University graduating cum laude with a double major (psychology and sociology). He started a doctoral program in Chicago, but ended up returning home when his father died. Garry then assisted his mother to raise and provide for his three younger siblings.Throughout high school and this time after collegeGarry often spoke of howimportant his friends were. They provided support, friendship and infamous adventures that included camping trips, as well as a multiple day biking trip and an Appalachian Trail trek both that somehow ended after only a day.

It was also during this period that Garry worked as a longshoreman and worked lines for the infamous ship the Edmund Fitzgerald.

In the late 70s, Garry’s mother moved the family to California. He joined them there, returning to school and studying clinical psychology, earning aMastersDegree at Cal State Fullerton and a PhD from the University of Arkansas. He then began his career in California as a psychologist. When he met his wife,Dawn, in the late 80s he was working in a private practice serving both a general clientele as well as families who had experienced sexual abuse, and as a program psychologist at Camarillo State Hospital-Developmental Center.ThroughoutGarry’s career he worked as a forensic psychologist and was frequently called as an expert witness to court. Garry was most proud of the work he did training both college and post-doctoral psychology interns.His final role prior to his retirement was as the Senior Psychologist, and included being the director of an APA accredited psychological internship consortium.

Dawn and Garry had met playing employee pick-up basketball at the StateHospital and throughout life enjoyed following first the Lakers of the 80s, and more recently theGolden StateWarriors. To continue Garry’s pattern of ‘taking the long road’ to achieve his goals, he courted Dawn for 80 years before marrying her. Shortly after they married, his job position transferred them to Porterville Developmental Center and they bought their first home in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The home included a ‘granny house’ where Garry’s mother retired and lived until she required placement in memory care. When Garry retired in 2015 he and Dawn moved their family to Enumclaw.

Garry did not reach what he considered his most important role until age 50, when his children, first Mark and then Megan, were born. While he and Dawn had many pre-child adventures (hiking, snowmobiling, attending plays and concerts in the park, and traveling) after the birth of their children his adventures changed.His focus shifted to engaging in the interests of the kids and not his own. Camping, fishing, shooting, raising chickens for 4H, and dancing with Megan took centerstage. Garry always had a fully stocked pantry with not only all the best junk foods, but all of the family’s favorites and enough canned foods to survive many months. Garry has lovingly been called the ‘bank of dad’ and was always ready with a bit of extra cash when needed.

Garry’s first priority in life was to have integrity and to live up to his word. He was an observer of people, engaging with those he loved in activities they chose. He tried to make sure that his family was happy, doing what they enjoyed and that they were provided for.

To achieve all he did in his lifeGarry fought- he fought to complete his education, fought to create financial stability for his mother and his own family, and fought to remain healthy and present in his family’s life as long as his health allowed. He took care of those that he loved.

Garry is survived by his wife Dawn Kinney Miller, children Mark and Megan Miller, sister Bonnie Petrullo (Tony-Ohio), brothersMickeyMiller (Ohio), TyeMiller (Ohio),MervinMiller (Debbie-Sequim, Washington), and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mervin “Mick”Miller and JosephineMiller (Petretich), sister, SherriMiller-Hunter (Mike), sister-in-law,Dawnya Miller (Tye), brother-in-law, Tom Rogers (Bonnie), niece, Tori Harriman (Rogers) and infant brother, BruceMiller.

A Celebration of Life will be held on 3/1/2025 at 11am at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Enumclaw with a reception following.