Dr. James R. Miller of Denton, TX passed away Monday, December 5, 2011 at a Hospice Care facility in Denton. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

Dr. Miller was born on December 1, 1926 to Paul and Evelyn Miller in Sandusky, Ohio. He married Alice Margaret Hoke on September 11, 1949. They celebrated 62 years of blessed marriage.

Jim was a good man who showed many people kindness. Growing up in Ohio during difficult times, he learned at an early age that perseverance and hard work produced results. As a young man, he proudly answered the call to duty and was Honorably Discharged from the Army of the United States of America in 1946 having served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. After his military service he began his life's work as an educator.

Graduating from Purdue University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies in 1951, Jim continued his studies at Bowling Green State University graduating from there with a Master of Arts degree in History in 1961. He culminated his studies by obtaining a Ph.D in Social Studies Education/Political Science from Kent State University, in 1969. Along the way, he was also a COE Fellow at Ohio Northern University, in 1961 and an FEE Fellow at Claremont College in 1962.

Jim began his teaching career at Shadeland High School, Lafayette, Indiana and then moved to Kenton High School, Kenton, Ohio and then to Cuyahoga Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. During his high school teaching career he coached basketball, football and track at various times and made a lasting impression on many of the young people whom he coached. This is evidenced by the continued correspondence with some of the "kids"- who are now over 60 years old. Almost to the day he passed, he was still referred to as "Coach Miller" by many of them. He especially loved coaching basketball.

Dr. Miller began his college teaching career at Kent State University and then moved to the University of Maine at Orono. In 1977 he came to North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas. At UNT he served in many capacities, beginning as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Education and as a Professor of Education. He served as Dean of the College of Education from 1985 to 1991. He actively served on many COE committees, University, State Level and National Committees. He mentored many doctoral students and participated in numerous doctoral dissertation reviews. Jim worked with many Public schools in assessing and revising curriculums and conducted workshops for teachers on the local, state and national levels. He wrote numerous funded grants. He was widely published in many professional journals and research publications.

Dr. Miller's signature achievements included writing the proposal and gaining legislative approval and funding for establishment of the Texas Academy of Math and Science at UNT, a $1.1 million dollar Federal Teacher Corps Grant, the NTSU Quality Assurance Program for Teachers, the Denton ISD Grandparents program, and UNT's Emeritus College.

Jim dearly loved his family and was especially proud of his granddaughters Emily and Hannah and never missed an opportunity to tell anyone about them. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, writing, fishing and conversation with his many friends. Jim and Alice were ardent fans of the UNT Mean Green basketball program and attended every home game for years. He and Alice could always be found in the UNT Super Pit enjoying the games with special friends. Jim and Alice spent the summers at "the cabin" on Lake Sebasticook in Newport, Maine. He spent many days on the lake in his little boat enjoying the fresh air and blue skies of Maine and every once in a while caught a fish. There was one big bass that he tried to catch for years but never succeeded.

He is survived by his wife Alice of Denton TX, his sons James R. Miller II and his wife Linda of Newport Maine, Jack G. Miller and his wife Ruth and granddaughters Emily and Hannah of Willow Park, TX; his daughter Allyson A. Miller of Portland Maine; sister Charlotte Leeth of Upper Sandusky Ohio; brothers John Culp of Waverly, Ohio, Kenneth Miller of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, J.R. Derringer of Sun City, Arizona. He is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many cherished friends and colleagues. One brother, Paul "Sonny" Miller, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family request Memorial donations be made to the E. LaMar Hoke Memorial Scholarship at UNT, Dean Emeritus James R. Miller Scholarship at UNT,Development Ofiice, Denton; or The American Cancer Society; or the James R. Miller Emeritus College Scholarship UNT, mail to: Marilyn Wagner, Lifelong Learning, 1155 Union Circle 310560, Denton, TX 76203-5017.