Harry Miller Obituary

Harry George Miller, III, (78) died on August 28, 2025, after a brief and serious illness. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas on July 28, 1947. Harry was a lifelong professional musician from age 16, a Royals fan, a lover of history, a lawyer, a piano technician, an excellent home chef, and most importantly, a loving and devoted family man.

Harry dotingly raised his daughter Christy with his ex-wife Deanna Miller (née Williford) while attending law school and playing music in Kansas City and the surrounding area. Later, in his early 40's, Harry bravely raised two additional children, David and Lyd, with his wife Pat, while lawyering and playing jazz in Kansas City and Lawrence, KS. At 60, Harry transitioned out of law to become a Registered Piano Technician through the Piano Technicians' Guild.

Home life for Harry, Pat and the kids included reading stories (sometimes while sitting on the roof), riding bicycles, ski trips, family meals with philosophical discussions, musical gatherings, holiday meals and traditions, and lots and lots of love and encouragement.

Harry and Pat were married in 1987. They visited and hiked in many National Parks and wild places, explored museums and historical sites, cooked meals for each other and with each other, listened to music, spent quality time with friends, and respected each other's professional lives while maintaining a strong, loving home life. Harry never retired; continuing to tune and repair pianos while working with his fellow musicians to perfect his craft and delight his audience and friends.

Harry graduated from Washington HS in Kansas City, Kansas in 1965, from Pittsburg State University in 1969, and from Washburn Law School in 1973. Harry is survived by his wife, Patricia Gillispie Miller (Lawrence, KS), his children David J. Miller (TX) and Lydia R. Miller (MO), his brother Robert C. Miller and his wife Anita (NY), and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and extended family. Harry was preceded in death by his parents Harry G. Miller, Jr. and Alice Vivien Miller (née Odell), his brother David G. Miller, and his daughter Christy Miller Joyce.