Ronald Clark Miller

Ronald C. Miller, 84, of Venice, FL passed away on November 5, 2017. He was born in Elizabethville, Pa. He graduated from William Penn High School in Harrisburg, Pa. where he played football, basketball and track. He accepted a football scholarship to Gettysburg College in 1950. A gifted athlete, he competed collegiately on football, wrestling and track and field teams. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and graduated with a BA degree in History and General Science in secondary education. Ron was selected to the AP Pennsylvania First Team in football in 1953 and was the Middle Atlantic State heavyweight wrestling champion in 1954. He received invitations to play professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Colts. In 2000, Ron was inducted into the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor. Football was his true passion in college, and throughout his life. Immediately after college graduation, Ron entered the Air Force in October 1954. He proudly served as a fighter pilot and reconnaissance pilot for 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Col. During his military career, he was stationed at 16 different bases, including Saigon, where he flew over 100 missions in North Vietnam. He received more than 20 air medals and awards, including the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by Northwestern Bank in Great Falls, Montana , as a Real Estate and Installment and Loan Officer. In 1983, he entered politics and was a Montana Republican State Representative, serving for three terms. Ron finished his professional working career in the insurance industry. He sold insurance for United Services and the Prudential Ins. Co. for 15 years, and happily retired in 1995. He was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association, the VFW and National Rifle Association. He was also active in the Republican Club. Ron and his wife Janet moved permanently from Great Falls, Montana to Venice, Florida. His retirement was full of fun with fishing, going to sporting events and playing poker with the guys. He also loved howling and was famous for his saying, "Nobody misses the 5 Pin." Ron was an outgoing person, he enjoyed a wide circle of friends and loved being with people of all walks of life, and his occasional Johnnie Walker Black. He leaves his wife Janet, the love of his life; children Susan Rooney (Jim) and Ronnie (Jill) and five grandchildren: Patrick and Nicholas Rooney; Matthew and Megan Miller and Sam Dowd; and special brother-in-law Robert Black (Nilsa) A celebration of Ron's life will be held at Lakeside Lutheran Church, 2401 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34293, at 1 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2017. Any donations may be given to the VFW, 832 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285.

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Ronald Clark Miller

November 18, 1932 - November 5, 2017