Kenneth Loren Miller, “Kenny” was born June 25th, 1947 in Baker, Oregon, the oldest of 4 boys. His brothers were Gordy, Randy, and Johnny. His parents, Leo and Betty Lou Miller were ranchers. Kenny worked for neighboring ranches from his early teens, cowboying and putting up hay. He attended grade school in Durkee, Oregon and was in the last 8th grade class that graduated from that school house. At age 12, Kenny rode in the Pony Express re-enactment that celebrated Oregon’s Centennial, and smoked the adult riders. He was a horseman from an early age. He graduated from Baker High School in 1965. In 1966 Kenny joined the Marines and deployed to Viet Nam in September 1966. He spent his first 6 months at Da Nang, then 6 months at the mouth of the Cua Viet river. With 2 weeks of duty left on that tour, while on night patrol, Kenny was shot in the shoulder, and three times in the left leg. The bullets went clean through and never broke a bone. Kenny later acknowledged that “God was watching over me even before I knew him.” He spent three months recovering at Bremerton Washington Navel Hospital, and finished his three year enlistment at Camp Pendleton, California. Kenny received the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with a device, and the Good Conduct Medal. He did not talk much about wartime, but he earned significant recognition.
In 1969 Kenny returned to the Baker, Oregon area where he resumed his love for ranch work, far from any towns. He married Joni Nagel and had his first child, Teri, in 1971. He was working for the Phillips Ranch in Keating, Oregon. Life on a remote ranch is hard on relationships, and they eventually divorced. He met Dave Hulick during this time, who became a lifelong friend. They cowboyed several years together and raised a lot of Cain. Kenny moved to Nevada where he worked on a variety of ranches, then eventually returned to Oregon. He worked on the Alvord Ranch for several years.
In 1978 Kenny got a job packing mules and horses in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Boulder Park Lodge. His daughter Teri came to live with him at this time. He had some hair-raising experiences and close calls, but embraced the stunning beauty of God’s creation at its best.
Kenny met and married Marge Phillips during this time. They had two children, Bryce and Cassie. They relocated to Ironside, Oregon where Kenny became cow boss for the Ironside Associates Cattle Ranch. He managed up to 1800 mother cows for 21 years. Kenny and Marge eventually divorced and she and the kids moved to Baker.
Around 1990 Kenny met and married Jennifer Paul. They had two children, Cheyenne and Jason. Kenny and Jennifer eventually divorced, and Kenny stayed with the ranch until 2001. Kenny met Carolyn Lemos in 1998. Carolyn was a keeper, and they married in 2001. Kenny picked their email address “tworone”, which sealed the deal; Two are one! Kenny’s youngest kids needed a more stable environment, and when Kenny and Carolyn moved to Midvale, Idaho in 2001, they got custody of Cheyenne and Jason. Two of Carolyn’s grandkids, JoDee and Bailey were also needing a stable environment. They embraced them into the family and raised them as well. Midvale became home for the next and final 25 years.
Kenny continued working in the cowboy industry, riding and calving for the Keyhole Ranch, day riding for a variety of other ranchers, and shoeing horses. He loved to cut firewood, and made sure people in need got wood. He was always busy, taking kids hunting and fishing, gardening, creating works of art with wood and horse shoes, tending his flock of chickens, and monitoring the community. He genuinely loved his wife and family, his friends and church family, his Lord, and his faithful cow pony “Shorty”
Kenny led a colorful life, and in his own word’s “never recalled attending a church, but was raised knowing right from wrong, not to lie, cheat, steal, or kill, and not to speak God’s name in vain.” Carolyn added another dimension to his life and together they attended Angel Camp Cowboy Church when they moved to Midvale. Kenny became a faithful follower of Jesus in his own cowboy way. He was a servant to anyone and everyone in need, and a friend to all, young or old. He was full of surprises, and compiled a book of Cowboy Poetry that reflected life in the real world. He was perceptive; he did not miss much. He was capable; he could do a multitude of tasks- things you learn to do on a ranch; he was tough, rarely complaining, even when we knew he was in pain. He was dependable and would rarely tell you “No”. He was a trustworthy and loyal friend. His was a life well spent.
Kenny’s departure left a big hole in the hearts of his family, his church family, and his community. He died peacefully in his sleep, preceded in death by his parents Leo and Betty Lou Miller, his brother Gordy, and his daughter Cassie. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Jason (Vanessa) Miller, Bryce Miller, daughters Teri (Nathan) Osborne, and Cheyenne Miller, step-daughter Amy Bain, step son Earl Bain, brothers Randy (Diane) Miller, and Johnny (Sherry) Miller, numerous grandkids and extended family, and his good honest horse, “Shorty”
There will be a celebration of Kenny’s life March 28th at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Midvale High School. There will be a short graveside service with military honors at Midvale Eastside Cemetery following the service, and a dinner at the school following the graveside service. Potluck dishes and finger foods appreciated.
