Julian “Rocky” Basil Miller
1929-2012
Rocky left this world peacefully, early Saturday morning, June 9th 2012 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Rocky spent the early part of the week with his 3 sons and friends visiting, looking at photos and enjoying, what would unknowingly be their last days together. Rocky was born September 16th, 1929 to Julian and Blanche Miller in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was 82.
Growing up he helped out on the family farm, but soon enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a drill instructor, military policeman and sharpshooter. He was stationed overseas, but most of his stories revolved around his time, after the war in Germany and Austria. After returning home, he married Gladys Jones from Waterford, Ohio, where they had a son, David.
In 1962, Rocky took a family vacation out west and when they visited southwest Montana, Rocky immediately fell in love with the state. A few years later, a mining opportunity came up for him in Montana and he returned with his second wife, Janice and their two boys, Mark and J.B. He mined out here for several years until his father died, where he then returned to Virginia.
He remained in Virginia raising his family and was employed by General Motors, as an electrician, where he worked until his retirement. After returning to Virginia, Rocky made it out almost every year to visit the area, friends and Daves family. It soon became a tradition that he would come out each year over the 4th of July, for a few weeks, as he loved fireworks!
While out on his visits Rocky enjoyed going for drives exploring his old mining claims and seeing the country side. He would spend the 4th of July weekend camped out at the lake with Dave, jet skiing, shooting off fireworks and enjoying his time with the grandchildren. Some monumental visits included a weeklong float trip down the Salmon River, “River of No Return” and a trip up to Glacier Park and spending a couple of days with in-laws on Flathead Lake, where he fell in love with the water.
Rocky was a member of Fredericksburg Eagles Lodge 4123, Fredericksburg Elks Lodge 875, and the V.F.W. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and mining.
He was always laughing, telling stories and jokes, ready to help anyone who needed it and never asked for anything in return. He will surely be missed by so many and will always be remembered as a true American that loved nothing more than his family and his Country, and would do anything for both.
Rocky was preceded in death by both his parents and his brother Carl. He is survived by his wife Janice L. Miller, sons, David (Sarah) Miller, Mark (Vicky) Miller and JB (David) Miller. His beloved grandchildren, Summer (Joe), Nathan, Nissa (Gabe), Brieana, and Leneva. Two great granddaughters, Jordynn and Justine.
Services were held Friday, June 14th at Covenant Funeral Service in Fredericksburg, followed by a burial with military procession and honors at Quantico National Cemetery.
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