Leonard Frederick Miller, Jr. was born July 7, 1939 in Oak Park, Illinois and passed away on November 29, 2021 in Price, Utah. He moved to Price when he was four years old, and he became very loyal to the community. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 15 years old and later served a mission for the Church in the Western States Mission.
He attended the College of Eastern Utah and Brigham Young University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education administration. He met his wife Jan Christiansen in the master’s program, and they were married February 24, 1979 in the Manti, Utah temple and were later blessed with two children, Ashlee and Travis.
Leonard loved teaching. He taught high school at East Carbon for 10 years, including driver’s education. He would then teach at the College of Eastern Utah (marketing, retailing, consumer behavior), driver’s education to foreign students as well as becoming their personnel director, and was director of continuing education.
Service was the hallmark of his life. He served in the National Guard for three years and the reserve for four years. He served his community in countless ways as a volunteer fireman for 33 years and Lion’s Club member and two-term president until he passed away. He was also on the Board of Directors for Educators Mutual Insurance Association as well as the Board of Directors for the Utah Central Credit Union. He was proud of his one-year term as the president of the Utah State Firemen’s Association. He also enjoyed teaching as an AARP Driver Safety Instructor in his later years.
Even as he got older, he found ways to serve by giving rides to various doctor’s appointments in Utah to the elderly who couldn’t drive. He was especially invested in the Constitution Bee through the Lion’s Club where he would give out copies of the constitution to fifth graders who would then participate in a competition based on what they learned.
Leonard loved serving in various capacities in his church – a member of the bishopric in the singles ward, young men’s advisor, Scout commissioner, and teaching all age groups. He especially loved ministering to individual families. He would sometimes bring his children on these ministering visits, and they knew how important that work was to him. Waking up to make breakfasts for the missionary preparation classes at the institute for five years every Wednesday morning was also a highlight for him.
He found special ways to serve his family, often making their favorite meal when they’d come home: breakfast burritos for Ashlee, Cincinnati Chili for Travis, and animal shaped waffles for his granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife, Jan; daughter, Ashlee (Jason) Ard; son, Travis Miller; and four granddaughters, Lily, Grace, Clara, and Molly.
Funeral service, Monday, December 6, 2021, 2:00 p.m., Price Seventh Ward (995 East 700 North, Price, Utah) where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Leonard online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.