Leland Paul Miller was born on Sept. 27, 1940, in Eveleth, Minnesota, to Paul and Mildred (Neimann) Miller.
Lee grew up in a railroad family. In 1950, his family moved to Alaska where his mother was section cook and his father section foreman. They lived in different section houses that were connected only by the railroad. The four boys were homeschooled and had many adventures in the wilderness. When he was 14, Lee moved to Fairbanks where he attended high school and worked for the municipal garbage service and the Alaska Railroad.
Lee earned his Electrical Engineering degree in San Francisco, California, and took a job with PG&E. Not long after, he was drafted and was one of two fortunate men in basic training who did not go to Vietnam because of his mathematical education. Instead, he was posted in New Guinea tracking satellites.
In 1972, Lee and his wife Perrilee took over running the Quilcene Cafe, which his mother had been operating since 1963. During this time, Lee abandoned his engineering career and became an electrician. This enabled him to stay on the Olympic Peninsula and avoid long days behind a desk.
Lee and Sally Holm became a couple in 1996. They enjoyed hiking, backpacking, dancing and gardening. They were married in 2003. In 2005, Lee purchased 27 acres of forestland at Eaglemount. Chimacum Creek ran through the property which became protected by the Jefferson Land Trust. The land was his nirvana. He created gardens, tended the forest, and bought a trailer so he could stay on his land. He volunteered with the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. He trapped fry to monitor the chum salmon, and did spawning surveys. With lots of help, a trail was created. Lee welcomed people to use the trail and many enjoyed the magic of the creek. School groups and classes were invited and he would proudly explain about the forest and the salmon. As he grew older and was unable to hike or dance anymore, he devoted himself even more to the property. He would work long hours, often forgetting to eat until darkness.
Lee was a kind and gentle man. He was devoted to his family, his friends, and his land.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mildred, and his brother, Kelly. He is survived by his wife Sally; his three children Dana, Mike and Paul; his first wife Perrilee; his brothers Bob ( Connie), Ralph (Elvia); his sister-in-law Karen; nine grandchildren and three great-grandsons, Marie, Carl, Kris, Jennifer, her children Karter, Logand and Lander; Adam, Andrea, Brandon, Elliet, and Cris. In addition to his three children, Lee took in foster children and contributed to raising Silas, his stepson.
Lee Miller’s ashes will be spread at 1 p.m. Sept. 27 along Chimacum Creek. Parking is available on the Peterson Grade. Turn off Eaglemount Road 1.1 miles from Center or 4.2 miles from Highway 20. There will be a bring-your-own snacks and drinks visit at Brent and Heather Sky’s afterward in the spirit of Happiest Hour, for neighborhood people.
On Sept. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. (with Covid restrictions lifted,) we will have an all-are-invited Celebration of Life at Chimacum Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive, Chimacum, WA. This gathering will be a potluck.
Memorial donations may be made to the North Olympic Salmon Coalition or the Jefferson Land Trust.
