James L Miller

JAMES L. “Jim” MILLER January 24, 1946 – June 1, 2017                   James L. “Jim” Miller, age 71, a lifetime Park Rapids/Lake George, MN area resident, peacefully passed into eternity on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at his apartment in Park Rapids, following a valiant battle against cancer, with special loved ones at his side.                 Jim was born in Bemidji, MN to George and Mary (Burnham) Miller on January 24, 1946.  He attended school in Lake George and later in Park Rapids.  As a boy, Jim loved go with his a dad, a forest ranger/fire fighter to man the Smoky Hills Fire Tower and help his dad locate and fight forest fires.  Although being disabled, Jim was given the honor of being an honorary forest ranger- that time in his life was very important to him.  His desire to work hard and be productive followed him into adulthood.  As a young man he would collect aluminum cans and became known as the “Lake George Can Man” because of his sense of responsibility to earn money so he could help defray the costs of travelling to Colorado and Arizona each summer to visit his sister.  After the deaths of his parents, who both died within a short time of each other in 1993, Jim moved into Park Rapids where he worked at the Hubbard County Recycling Center for ten years and the Bearly Used Store for another eight years.   In 2004, Jim moved into the Court Apartments in Park Rapids where he thrived in an environment of developing many friendships and in his desire to always be of help to others.  Jim was always a “cowboy” at heart who loved to watch his hero, John Wayne, “The Duke”.  He watched all his movies and filled his apartment with John Wayne memorabilia.  Jim loved to sing, especially country western songs and became well known for his karaoke singing, earning the nickname of “Superstar”.  He also loved to help bring the Christmas Spirit to everyone by playing Santa Claus and had done so for many years. This past year, sensing the depth of Jim’s illness, a good many of the Hubbard County Social Services Department employees went out of their way to greet Santa Jim and get their picture taken with him.  Above all, Jim loved his family and friends.  He especially looked forward to spending time with his soulmate, Robin Larson whenever possible.                  Jim will be lovingly remembered by one brother, Earl Miller of Lake George, MN; his sweetheart, Robin Larson of Park Rapids; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Dee and Mick and one brother, Art Miller. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Pastor Mike English of the Lake George Bible Chapel officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Monday, June 5th and for an hour prior to the funeral service.  The active casket bearers will be his friends, Toni Carlstrom, Bob Kaumans, Brett Lessman, Holly Lessman, Tim Fishel and Tammie Kleespie.   A luncheon will be hosted at the Court Apartments in Park Rapids following which the funeral procession will travel to the Lake George Cemetery where Jim will be laid to rest in the Miller family plot. To leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com