Woodward County Obituary
Mooreland Cemetery

© Billings Funeral Home
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

JACK MILLER

June 21, 1935 - January 15, 2018

Jack Miller, 82 year old Mooreland resident, died Monday, January 15, 2018 at his home in Mooreland surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2018 at the First Baptist Church of Mooreland with Reverend David Houchin officiating. Burial will follow in the Mooreland Cemetery. Graveside Military rites will be conducted by the United States Army. Visitation will be at the Billings Funeral Home of Woodward.

Billy “Jack” Miller was born June 21, 1935, on the family farm north of Mooreland to Melvin T. and Myrtle May (Burkhart) Miller. He went to Dillon Country School north of Mooreland from first to fifth grade. After the family moved to Mooreland, he attended Mooreland School graduating in 1953. Jack earned a Junior Master Farmer Degree.

In 1953 at the end of Korean Conflict, Jack joined the United States Army. His basic training was at Camp Chaffee, transferring to Fort Sill for artillery training. He was cleared for the secret information of the first Honest John Rocket Battery and assigned to the 280 Atomic Cannon which was the same power as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1955. He worked for CF&I in Pueblo, Colorado, returning to the family farm in Oklahoma when his mother died.

Jack married Anita Louise Pressnall on March 24, 1958, in Friona, Texas. They lived on the farm north of Mooreland until moving into town in 1968. To this union two sons Darrell Duane and Devry Wayne were born.

Jack was a 32nd Degree Mason recognized as a fifty year member. After obtaining his pilot’s license in 1970, Jack enjoyed flying around with family and friends and flying to the Shambo Ranch in South Dakota. The “Shambo” was a partnership of friends.

On June 11, 1983, Jack married Irene Benson in Seiling, Oklahoma. Their residence is in Mooreland.

Jack Miller was an adventurer. From buying cattle in Mexico, cattle ranching and horses to pigs to honeybees in Oklahoma and South Dakota. ‘Playing in the dirt’ operating tractors to dozers, farming wheat and hay to running harvest crews from Texas to Montana, hunting bear and moose in Alaska and elk in Colorado. Jack and Irene drove from coast to coast and across Canada to the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. His world travels include Australia, South America and China. Wherever the adventure, whatever the deal, Jack was “never afraid to pull the trigger”.

Jack was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Mooreland.

Family and friends meant the most to Jack. He loved the family weenie roasts while fishing at the pond, hunting deer and turkey, and having a big Christmas Eve gathering. Going to the sale barn, working, sorting and feeding cattle, Jack enjoyed these times working with his boys and grandchildren teaching them the trade. Jack was always up for a good game of cards.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin T. and Myrtle May (Burkhart) Miller and two sisters: Jean White and Jo Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Irene, of the home; two sons: Darrell Miller and wife Sally, Devry Miller and wife Melody of Mooreland; two step-daughters: Jodie Behrmann of Grand Junction, CO, Jill Graves and husband Josh of Wheatland, WY; four grandchildren: Devin Miller and wife Jody, Daren Miller and wife Brandi of Mooreland, Latta Miller of Oklahoma City, OK, Diamon Miller of Yukon, OK; two step-grandchildren; Jadea Graves, Jessie Graves of Wheatland, WY; three great-grandchildren: Jaxon Bryce Miller, Jase Sander Miller, Chloe Dawn Miller of Mooreland; one sister: Joyce Irving and husband Howard of Grove, OK. Jack is survived by many other relatives and a wide circle of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mooreland FFA, First Baptist Church of Mooreland or the charity of your choice with the funeral home accepting the contributions.