Ellis "Mick" Jerome Miller

Ellis Jerome Miller (82) was born March 11, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri.  His parents, Dr. Emery and Frances Miller often told how he wiggled & wiggled at the hospital when they arrived to adopt him as if to say, “Pick me! Pick me!”  Mick was raised in Missouri, Twin Falls, and Nampa, Idaho.   He joined the military at 18 serving between 1953 and 1956.  While in the Army, his wife of only 9 months, Julie Ballard, passed away unexpectedly.  Returning to Nampa, Mick attended Northwest Nazarene College and College of Idaho.  He married Sharon Finkbeiner in 1958 and they had two sons Evan and Arnie John (Johnny).  In 1964, he married Barbara Ann Edwards. Mick worked for Meridian Wood Products for about 30 years as well as at Franklin Lumber.  Mick was a well-known professional fly fisherman and fly tyer selling his flies throughout the state.   He often taught fly tying classes to youth and adults and enjoyed his years with the Gem State Fly Fishers. There are many time-tested and treasured friendships that Mick was blessed with from work, church, neighbors, and through his passion for fly fishing.  Many of these friends would visit Mick in his fly-shop “dungeon” in the basement of his home where they would laugh, tie flies, and solve the world’s problems.  Nearly 30 of Mick & Barbara’s summers were highlighted with a month-long fly fishing trip to Henry’s Lake, Idaho, where he tied literally thousands of flies for visiting fishermen.  The fish at Henry’s Lake can finally feel safe. This past year, 2017, has been a difficult year for Mick as he lost his dear wife of 52 years, Barbara, and his beloved step-daughter, Lori (Shepherd) Kaim; also he had to move from his home of more than 30 years; and he received a critical diagnosis all within a 3-month period.  

Mick was preceded in death by wife Barbara; brother Arthur Duane Miller; step-son Rick Shepherd; step-daughter Lori Kaim; and son Arnie John (Johnny) Miller.  He is survived by his son Evan Miller (Elizabeth) of Caldwell; son-in-law Bob Kaim  of South Carolina; sister Lois Favaron of Florida; brother Dr. Lewis Miller (Karen) of Oregon; sister Dixie Meyer (Earl) of Florida; grandchildren Richie Shepherd and Andy Shepherd of Texas; Morgan Miller of Idaho; Brandon Kaim of South Carolina and two great-grandchildren from Texas. Mick was preceded in death by wife Barbara; brother Arthur Duane Miller; step-son Rick Shepherd; step-daughter Lori Kaim; and son Arnie John (Johnny) Miller. 

Mick approached everything and everyone with a warm smile, a contagious laugh, and a twinkle in his eye.   We love him dearly and already miss him greatly.

The family wishes to thank Complete Care Hospice and especially nurse Christine MacMaster for her loving care to Mick during this difficult time.  

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