Harold Miller's Obituary
HAROLD MILLER
September 4, 1920 ' January 21, 2013
US Army First Sergeant Ret. Harold Miller was born on September 4, 1920 in Bastrop (Beekman), Louisiana. He was the sixth of eight children born to the union of the late Rev. Samuel Edgar Miller and the late Mrs. Louthene Bridges Miller.
Harold accepted Christ at an early age, and joined New Light Baptist Church, which his father founded. At the age of 18 he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where he worked at Dillard University and later joined the US Conservation Corps. He remained in New Orleans until World War II.
During World War II, Harold enlisted in the United States Army. He continued his service to our country for 22 years and was a leader in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Harold retired with an honorable discharge and the distinguished rank of First Sergeant. He frequently commented how blessed he was to travel the world without ever owning a passport. He lived in many countries including Fiji, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Germany, the Marshall Islands, and throughout the United States. It was in Japan where he met and married Hideko Kinoshita, who became his wife of over 60 years.
Harold and Hideko had three children: Joseph, James, and Rose. After moving around several countries, the family settled in Oakland, California. In Oakland, Harold achieved his A.A. degree at Merritt College. He also worked at the Safeway Soap Plant until his retirement in 1984, when he helped welcome his first grandchild. Harold and Hideko became doting grandparents to their granddaughters, Alana and Courtney Pitts.
A natural comedian, Harold loved making people around him laugh and be happy. Harold enjoyed spending time with family, reading, discussing politics, and watching baseball and football- especially the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland Raiders, and the USC Trojans.
Harold was preceded in death by his loving wife Mrs. Hideko Kinoshita Miller, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Miller, and six of his siblings: Alexander, Doris, Samuel Jr., Francis, Eloise, and Herbert Miller. He leaves to cherish his memory: his children Rose Miller, James Miller, and Joseph Miller Sr.; grandchildren Alana and Courtney Pitts, and Joseph Miller Jr.; sister Louia Miller Cohee; son-in-law Gerald Pitts; sister-in-laws Emiko Abe, Ichiko Uchida, and Taeko Sumita in Hokkaido, Japan; nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, and a host of other friends and family around the world.
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