Joseph Thomas Miller, Sr., a lifelong resident of Lake Charles was received into his heavenly home on April 12, 2022 at the age of 95. Born Jan. 26, 1927, his early days were spent growing up on the corner of Kirkman and Sixth Street, the fifth of eight children born to Laura Chavanne and F.L. Miller. Joe Tommy met the love of his life, Mary Joyce Sloan, at Central School in fourth grade. They married in 1945 and their family grew to include seven children. After graduating from Lake Charles High School in 1944, Joe joined the Navy and entered the V-12 Officer Training Program. Through this program, he attended Tulane University, Mississippi College, and Duke University, until his discharge in 1946. McNeese University awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Joe in 2013.
A Lake Charles original, Joe loved his birthplace and was forever grateful for all the opportunities that Lake Charles offered. He was generous with his time and led by example, serving on numerous boards. Among them were the Associated General Contractors of Louisiana, First National Bank of Lake Charles, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, American Heart Association, McNeese State University Foundation, Campfire USA, Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, and Foreman-Reynaud Community Center. In 2006, Joe was crowned King of the Krewe of Mystique. His favorite activities included Rotary Club, all LSU sports, reading to the children in the Head Start program, rose growing, sponsoring teaching gardens at area elementary schools, eating and visiting at Big Daddy’s, working crossword puzzles and Jumble in the LC American Press and playing bridge. Most recently, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were made livelier with his good and faithful friends, Eddie, Murry, Denny, and Carl.
His decades long service to Lake Charles Little League gave Joe much enjoyment. He was proud of his teams’ accomplishments and loved the many friendships he made. Many young men benefitted from his encouragement and his Christian example. In his later years, his energy was transferred to McNeese baseball and softball. His presence was felt by the softball team through his encouragement, team prayers, snacks for their game day bus rides, and as he joined them in the dugout for home games. Joe was excited and honored to throw out the first pitch when the University named the field in his honor.
Joe and Mary Joyce became involved as a young couple with the Builders’ Sunday School class at the First Methodist Church. There they made lifelong friends, with whom they enjoyed vacations, bridge club, supper club, and family get-togethers over a period of 50-plus years. He was a dedicated Sunday School teacher to high schoolers, young adults, and in his later years, his own Builders’ Class, continuing to teach until 2020.
As a child, Joe had his first job in his family’s business, T. Miller & Sons, as a time keeper, water boy, and floor sweeper. Along with his father and brother, F. Miller & Sons was founded in 1954, and Joe worked until his retirement at the age of eighty. The business bore the family name, but in fact, everyone who worked there was considered family. Joe built bridges, both literally and figuratively, and constructed several familiar landmarks around Lake Charles, including the I-210 bridge, Memorial Hospital, and much of the lakefront skyline.
Over the years, Joe and Mary Joyce took their children to Pensacola, Florida on many summer vacations. Early on, they introduced their children to LSU football games in Tiger Stadium; he kept his season tickets for decades. Upon moving to a home with a pond, Joe introduced his children and grandchildren to his passion of fishing. Joe enjoyed family gatherings as his family grew to large numbers, including a special 90th birthday celebration weekend and most recently, commemorating his 95th birthday. He faithfully continued his and Mary Joyce’s tradition of sending birthday and anniversary cards to every member of the family after her death.
Joe received numerous community awards during his lifetime, but most importantly left a legacy of generosity, integrity, and devoted Christian faith.
Joe was preceded in death by Mary Joyce in 2013; son-in-law, Ted Stewart; and great-grandson, Hayes. He passed from life to Life with eager anticipation of being reunited with them and all three of his brothers, Frank, Bobby, Leon; and his four sisters, Mabel, Ginny, Betty, Kate; and their parents. This good and faithful servant indeed ran the good race. He will be greatly missed by his family, Suzanne Stewart, Marylyn and Loyd Daniel, Margie and Joe Sims, Joanne and Trip Tubbs, Barbie and Doug Bugner, Joe Miller, and John and Celene Miller; 25 grandchildren, Kade (Alli), Jamison (Anne), Sloan (Brad), Hunter (Megan), Christopher (Kristina), Catherine, Miller (Molly), Jason (Natalie), Jeremy (Melanie), Jordan (Danielle), Josh, Jack (Erin), Laura (Hugh), Patrick (Sarah), Rob, Lanie (Jacob), Max, Grant, Claire (Steven), Dietz, Grayson, Rosie, Cameron (Eleanor), McKenzie (Andre), and Isabella; 25 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.
Our family could not have done without the loving care from our Dad’s special friends, Evelyn and Louise; his caregivers Amanda, Jocelyn, and Mary; and his hospice nurses, Rilee and Morgan.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m., with visitation following the service until 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to First United Methodist Church, The Foundation at Memorial Hospital, or McNeese State University Foundation (baseball and softball programs).
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.