Virgil C Miller

Obit program for Virgil C. Miller: Virgil Miller, Jr., was born in Des Moines, IA, at 8:35 p.m. on December 5, 1935, as an only child to Virgil Miller and Eula Mae (Cooper) Miller. Later he became Virgil Charles (after his maternal grandfather) Miller to differentiate between him and his father. He went to school in Des Moines, graduating in the January class from East High on 1/28/1954. He was forever a proud East High graduate. Virgil attended Drake University from the spring of 1954 through the spring of 1958. While in college, he did an internship at West One at Broadlawns Hospital. He was very proud of being a Drake Alumni. Virgil had the same seats for decades at the Drake Relays finish line. When the "Blue Oval" was resurfaced, he was no longer allowed to have his seats at the finish line. He never went back to the Drake relays because of that, but he still watched the relays faithfully on TV. Virgil lived in Des Moines his entire life except when he was drafted by the Army. He did boot camp in Texas in September 1958, and then he went to Germany, working in the infirmary. Virgil had an honorable discharge in September 1960 as SP4 (specialist). He had many jobs, starting with cleaning theaters with his grandmother while still a child. After graduation from college, he had several middle management jobs. He was the head of the main Job Service office as well as several satellite offices. After that, he worked at Norwest Bank for fifteen plus years. His last long-term appointment was writing grants and fundraising for Iowa Public Television (IPTV), a job he truly enjoyed. Besides writing grants, he was also in the production booth when IPTV went onsite to different locations, such as Iowa City to broadcast football games or the capitol building when presidential candidates were in town for debates. Because of his job, Virgil knew where all 99 counties in Iowa are, and he knew at least one person in every single county in Iowa. Virgil did several voiceovers while at IPTV. As a cancer survivor, he was also a spokesperson for the cancer organizations. He went out to speak several times about cancer, and he also had one-on-one meetings with individuals who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Virgil was also a part of the "Speak Out" program at Moulton Elementary. Each mentor in the group worked with one student for several months. He was always so proud of those students and the progress each and every one of them made. He spoke about those students for many years, always with so much pride. Enjoying driving locally or across country, Virgil didnt mind giving rides to those who needed or wanted a ride. He even gave a ride to/from work for several months to a man who had just gotten out of prison and was trying to do things the right way. As a gregarious person, Virgil enjoyed being out in the public. He joined several social groups, including the Bow Knots, The Roosevelt Club and the Royal Dukes. He held different offices in these clubs, and he always enjoyed the two "dress up" parties that were held at Valentines Day and at Christmas. He liked that the clubs never forgot the widows of former members and gave to a family every Christmas. Although Virgils father was the one who attended the Crocker YMCA, Virgil was a part of the Crocker YMCA reunion committee Virgil enjoyed bowling, working on his yard, animals--especially dogs (even though he wasnt fond of doing "poop patrol" after them), helping others better themselves and, as always, playing jokes on others. The jokes he like the best are the ones he was never suspected of doing. Virgil enjoyed ALL sports and could even watch golf, NASCAR and the Triple Crown horse races. But his favorite sport was football. He could quote stats on every stage of football, even to knowing who the coach for the pro teams or college was at the time certain players were there. He didnt have a favorite team, and he would watch anything from high school through pro football games on TV. He was proud to support his grandchildren: Stacia in her musicals, and Tyrell with football and orchestra. Shortly after Virgils passing, Tyrell completed a viable and working computer program. This would have made him so proud that Virgil would have popped the buttons off his shirt Virgil retired from work in 1997; however, he stayed busy until he could no longer drive. He met every Friday with other classmates who graduated from East High. He met with other Iowa State Employee retirees the fourth Thursday of the month. He met with a group of men (the "Breakfast Buddies") the first Saturday of the month until most of the members of that group were either gone or could no longer attend. Virgil was on the Mental Health board, listening to disputes and ruling on them. Much to the surprise of EVERYONE, Virgil and "The Perfect Angel" eloped in September 2007. He enjoyed repeating the response of one of his close friends: WHAT??? Not HER!!! (She knows who she is, right Ms. Shirley???). (smile) Virgil started going to church at Bethel AME Church. He changed to St. Paul AME Church during his first marriage. He held several offices while at St. Paul, including Usher and on the finance committee. Virgil passed away May 8, 2017 before 6:30 a.m. Virgil is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harry and Lucy (Payne) Miller, his maternal grandparents, Charles and Jennie (Wheels) Cooper, his parents, Virgil and Eula Mae Miller, his first wife (married almost 40 years) Patricia (Graves) Miller, his paternal uncles: George (Janices dad), Alonzo, Robert, Harry, Earl and Harold Miller, his paternal aunts: Addie Bruce, Fannie Miller, Edna Elliott and Evelyn Fox (mother of Kenneth Miller). Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Ayeshah, stepdaughters: Raynell "China" Johnson and another step-daughter, grandchildren: Stacia Taylor and Tyrell Taylor, Jr, and a great-grandchild Daylen Henderson, grandnieces (including Zayda "Hollywood" Chones-Ashmore, who had Virgil absolutely wrapped around her finger), grandnephews (including Zavian "Superman" Chones-Ashmore), first cousins (fathers side) Kenneth (Billie) Miller and Janice (Jim ) Griffin, second cousin (by grandmother) Quanse Smith, as well as many friends, church members. A special thank you to Virgils many doctors, Methodist Hospital, Younkers-7 th floor, Dahl Adult Daycare, Wesley Acres, Alzheimers Hero Program, Gentiva and Home Choice for their help in the final years of his life. Visitation









Saturday, June 3, 2017

10:00 - 11:00am









Ankeny Seventh Day Adventist Church

Memorial Service









Saturday, June 3, 2017

Starts at 11:00am









St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church