Dr. James Miller Sr.

Dr. James Miller Sr., for five decades one of the foremost educational leaders in New Mexico public schools and community colleges, passed Tuesday, February 24, 2015 in Albuquerque. He was 88 years old. A graduate of Northern Colorado University and the University of New Mexico, Miller was active in public schools across New Mexico since 1954, once serving as Superintendent or Board Consultant in nearly 40 of New Mexico’s 89 districts. He taught, was an administrator or school board consultant in Los Alamos, Ojo Caliente, Bloomfield, Gadsden, Santa Fe, Springer, Grants, Alamogordo and Roswell. Miller founded the Santa Fe Community College in early 1983 and the Rio Rancho Public Schools in 1994. In 1996, he was also instrumental in establishing the Western NM University - Mimbres Learning Center in Deming. Many of today’s New Mexico teachers, administrators and support staff in the K-14 New Mexico system owe their careers to Miller’s encouragement and example. Miller was born June 18, 1926 and raised for a time on a dairy farm in the dusty hills of western Nebraska during the early years of the Great Depression. Later, the family left flood and dust ravaged Red Willow County, moving to Boulder, Colorado. A year later, the family moved on to Greeley, Colorado [now considered the Miller family ancestral home] where they started the Clover Leaf Dairy in 1935. Miller attended school in Greeley, worked in the Dairy processing plant, and graduated from Greeley High School in 1943. He spent a year working on the graveyard shift in the Portland shipyards as a Liberty ship welder, briefly attended the University of Nebraska and then spent two years in the US Army in 1944-46, working with GIs returning from the Pacific Theater. From these experiences, Miller developed a life-long interest in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in writing, reading and reciting poetry, and helping underprivileged people through the means of an education. It was in Greeley where he met and eventually married the love of his life, Mildred Hotchkiss Miller, also of Greeley. Jim and Millie eventually had four children, Jim Jr. of Alto, NM, Susan, Linda and Amy of Albuquerque. Both Jim and Millie were active in church and community activities in Los Alamos, Anthony, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Miller moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1954 where even as a third grade teacher, he began leading from the front, as president of the local teacher organization. He would spend the remainder of his career and life in the Land of Enchantment, advancing the cause of education, particularly for women and Hispanics. After a noteworthy career at the Gadsden Independent Schools in Anthony, he worked for the UNM Cultural Awareness Center in the early 1970s while earning a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, one of four Miller family brothers to earn a doctorate. Years later, he was a UNM Adjunct Professor in the College of Education. He went on to become a role model and mentor for many New Mexico educational leaders as well as for his own children, exemplifying the virtues of integrity, honor and purpose. Miller was a consummate and much-in-demand public speaker, spicing his remarks frequently with humor, stories and literary references. He was instrumental in the founding and leadership of AWARE-New Mexico, a Ford Foundation project in the early 1980s which led to an immediate and substantial increase in the number of women in NM public school and community college administrative positions. In 1980, Miller became the Chief of Public School Finance for the State of New Mexico. Later in 1982, he retired to become an educational consultant and in-demand public speaker across New Mexico. His gift for inspirational storytelling and humor touched hearts not only in New Mexico, but across the Southwest. He was a gifted and exceptional leader. Miller had many personal interests. He was an avid fly fisherman, pursuing trout from Montana to New Mexico. From Wyoming’s Laramie River, to Colorado’s Dolores River and in New Mexico, on the Rio Chama, Miller deftly practiced the art of dry fly fishing. Hiking, desert mountain climbing and cutting firewood in the outdoors were also his outdoor pursuits. He read and wrote poetry, the well-known author of “A Southwestern Dream,” a 1960s poem regarding education of Hispanic children in the southwest. An avid reader, he endlessly read literature, enjoyed American and Southwestern history, loved doing Acrostics and crossword puzzles, and loved music and the theater. He loved spending time playing card games like poker and hearts with his grandchildren and friends. Miller was a dedicated NM Lobo fan! Miller is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred. Children include Jim Miller, wife Nancy Miller, of Alto, NM; Susan Lester of Albuquerque; Linda Miller of Albuquerque; Amy Miller and her husband Cliff McNary of Albuquerque. Grandchildren include Shannon Miller, Heather Roberts and her husband Dylan Roberts, Holly Krivokapich, Brent Krivokapich, Kiera McNary, Thailen McNary, Kavi Miller, Zunyi Miller and one great granddaughter, Mikayla Roberts. Miller is also survived by his sister Shirley and brothers Dale (wife Betty) and Lynn (wife Jean) and many nieces and nephews. “This land we love – it needs them all” penned Miller in the 1960s. “To meet its history’s constant call. It cannot waste a people entire and hope to stand the eternal fire that comes to those who learn too late that greatness cannot grow through hate. Who will answer?” Miller led from the front. Miller’s life will be celebrated Monday, March 9, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at the UNM Continuing Education Auditorium, 1634 University Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the James and Mildred Miller Presidential Title V Endowed Scholarship Fund at Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508. FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400