James Marvin Miller

James Marvin Miller passed away on April 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on October 17, 1933 in Cairo, GA, to the late Marvin Corbin and Gladys Agnes (Trammell) Miller.

He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Chief Petty Officer, having served in Operation Deep Freeze, 1965 to 1966, and the Korean Conflict. Then after 30-plus years with the City of Jacksonville, he retired as a Building Engineer.

Heaven called and said they needed another spotlight operator and Jim answered that eternal call. What started as a means to put his daughter through college in the late ’70s and ’80s, turned into a passion. If you went to any shows at Jacksonville venues from the 1970s through 2019, he was likely operating a spotlight. Unfortunately, while waiting for venues to reopen following closures due to COVID, Jim was diagnosed with cancer and decided to retire for the third time, from shining the spotlight. If you ever have a sunbeam shining on you, it may just be Jim giving you a celestial shoutout!

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, was a member of Masonic Lodge Hammerton #332 in North Charleston, SC, and Scottish Rite Valley of Jacksonville Morocco Temple Shrine. As a member of the Cartoon Caper Unit he brought smiles to children of all ages for many years playing as the cartoon character “Goofy” and serving as president of Cartoon Caper in 1987.

Jim was a man of few words, but when he spoke you needed to listen because it was going to be important. His strong work ethic was instilled in his daughter and granddaughter, with a “get ‘er done” type of attitude towards everything in life. From an early age for both his daughter and granddaughter he wanted to teach us the proper tools for the proper job. He was able to fix just about anything, and do it the right way. But when all else failed he told us duct tape and WD-40 were always a way to go. Daddy was a simple and unassuming man. I don’t think he realized how many lives he impacted. His presence was larger than life and his passing will be a void that won’t and cannot be filled. He will be so incredibly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Shirley J. Miller, and brother, Thomas W. Miller.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Thelma Jean Miller; daughter, Melodee Sue Miller; granddaughter, Ashley Miller Sullivan (Michael); great-grandsons, Rory Miller Sullivan and Edison Landry Sullivan, and a host of other family members and friends.

Jim was loved by his family and his family dearly loved him. He was Honey to his wife of 66 years, married on May 17, 1957, Daddy to his daughter, Papa to his granddaughter and Pop Pop to his great-grandsons, with whom he shared a special bond.

Jim was a voracious reader and learner, and enjoyed daily crossword puzzles and researching his Cherokee heritage. He was a lifelong blood donor and was proud of his union work and Gold Card.

The family wants to thank Mike Bobbin, Chris Tatum, Joe Mehm, John McMinamen, John Rex, Bob Christopher and Bruce Hudgens of the IATSE Local 115 Chapter, who are the Honorary Pallbearers. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m., until 6:00 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 1:00 p.m., Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218

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