Longtime resident of Carnation, WA, Howard Miller, 97, born 2/29/16 in Kenosha, WI to Fannie and Henry Miller, passed away peacefully in Bellingham, WA on 9/23/13. Howard attended grade school in Friday Harbor where his father owned a clothing store, then moved with his family to Seattle. A graduate of Garfield High School, Howard had the opportunity to visit Carnation in 1935. He was impressed by the friendly people there and in 1938 a perfect business site on Tolt Avenue became available. He made the down payment and christened the business ‘Miller’s Dry Goods.’ One year later he married the love of his life, Marion Freedman on 11/11/39 and they enjoyed nearly 50 years together until her death 11/1/89. Howard retired in 1983 to spend more time with family and friends.

Howard is survived by his brother Ralph, sisters Phyllis (Danz) and Lorraine (Trotsky), and their families; daughter Marilyn (companion Sabrina Sadler) and Martin (wife Kathy Morse-Miller) and three wonderful granddaughters: Haylee, Alyssa, and Keena.

Howard was an active member of the American Legion Post #199 for over 65 years and with Marion participated in many other area organizations. He attended almost every Tolt High School football and basketball game over a thirty year period as official timekeeper/scorekeeper. Howard also wrote a weekly sports column for the Snoqualmie Valley Record.

In 1981, the Tolt High football stadium was renamed ‘Howard Miller Athletic Field’; King County proclaimed October 23 “Howard Miller Day” in honor of his dedication to area youth and sports.

Howard’s passion for stamp collecting evolved into a full-time job that he loved: visiting area elementary classrooms giving stamp talks and making sure each child received a stamp from his collection. He became known as ‘The Stamp Man’ throughout the lower valley and received the ‘Hand-in-Hand’ award from the Seattle/King County Generations United program in 2002.

Howard volunteered at the Sno-Valley Senior Center, setting tables for meals, driving area seniors to medical appointments, and greeting members and guests at the reception desk with his warm smile.

Prior to moving to Bellingham’s Highgate Senior Living facility, Howard lived at Red Oak Residence of North Bend for six years. Thank you to both assisted living sites for the special care and friendship he enjoyed there.

A celebration of Howard’s life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13 (4-6 p.m.) at the Sno-Valley Senior Center in Carnation. The family suggests donations to

Sno-Valley Senior Center

4610 Stephens Ave.

Carnation, WA 98014

or

Cedarcrest High School Scholarship Fund

Clarence Lavarias, Principal

29000 NE 150th St.

Duvall, WA  98019