Ted Miller

Ted Miller passed away peacefully on October 27, 2011 following a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Centralia to Myrtle and Manson Miller, who was killed in a hunting accident leaving her with four young sons. She later married Norman Anderson who became a wonderful father to Ted and his brothers Bob and Jerry, who reside in Naselle, and Don Miller with whom Ted moved to Forks in the early 1970s to continue their logging jobs with Clete Helvey Logging Co.

He graduated from Naselle High School in 1957 and enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Spain where he received a good conduct medal, and another from the Spanish Governor for being the first person to teach Spaniards lifesaving skills. There he married Maria Gascon and returned to Washington State where they raised daughters Linda Stacey (deceased), Christina Miller, now of Juneau, Alaska and Michelle Leppell of Forks. Following their divorce, Ted met and married Prue Rowntree in Forks in 1973. They have remained best friends throughout their life together. As one daughter commented, "They were always together... I don't know many couples that could do that and they actually enjoyed it!"

They were blessed with a fourth daughter, Katie Alford of Shoreline. Shortly thereafter, they purchased the old Winifred Ford Peterson home, which they converted into the first bed and breakfast in Forks. Ted was an excellent carpenter and did all the needed remodeling, eventually adding a front porch.

Not knowing how to convince fishermen to stay at a B&B, Ted started Roadrunner Shuttle, promising early morning meals, reduced rates and the shuttling of their vehicles from the put in to the take out ramps so these sportsmen would not have to hitch rides back to their vehicles at the end of a day's fishing.

Ted was a kind, gentle man with the courage of his convictions and stepped in to ward off injustices when he saw them. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He dearly loved and was very proud of his four daughters and looked forward to spending time fishing with his seven grandsons, including two sets of twins - Tyler and Derek Doust and Mitchell and Wesley Leppell, all seniors in school next year, Justin, Ehly, Joey Duran, and Nicholas Rodriquez and granddaughters Breanna Simons and Madie Alford.

Some of his favorite moments were spent while on annual hunting trips to Wyoming with his three brothers and assorted nephews, each vying with the other to see who could get either the biggest buck or most deeply stuck in that often muddy terrain. He always enjoyed trips "home" to visit Mom and Norman, his brothers and his friends in Naselle.

In 1991, he was very lucky to receive a heart transplant which gave him an extra 21 years to enjoy his full, productive life, every day of which he cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to do so make a donation in Ted's name to the Forks Animal Shelter, PO Box 2022, Forks, WA 98331 or a charity of their choice.

A memorial service for Ted was held on November 11 in Forks.