"Happy 80th Birthday!!! Love Judy"
In loving memory of
Jerauld D. Miller
December 3, 1933 - October 29, 2011
Jerauld "Jerry" Douglas Miller
December 3, 1933 to October 29, 2011
Jerauld D. Miller, of Mill Creek, Washington, passed away on October 29, 2011, after a courageous six-year battle with multiple myeloma. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.
Jerry was born in Seattle on December 3, 1933, to Harry Henry Miller and Lois Marguerite Hastings Miller. His family moved to Oak Harbor during the war years and later moved to San Diego where Jerry attended high school and San Diego State College. When he moved back to Seattle in the early 1950s, he attended the University of Washington, and then began his career in the newspaper business where he honed his journalism skills. He also got a taste for broadcasting while working as an advertising executive for radio station KGTY in Everett. But it was his job as an advertising executive for Bozell & Jacobs, a prominent international advertising agency, which gave Jerry the yearning to start his own company. He and his former wife, Gloria Miller, co-founded JDM Inc., a successful Seattle advertising agency that created some of the most influential business and political ad campaigns of the 1960s and 70s. Apart from many memorable ad campaigns, Jerry also helped lead the effort to convince Washington state residents to adopt Daylight Saving Time, and was one of the first people to ascend to the top of the Space Needle while it was under construction.
Next Jerry returned to his roots of journalism and radio, becoming the founding editor of Alcoholism and Addiction Magazine, Sober Times Magazine and the producer of Straight Talk Recovery Radio, Republican Radio and Take Back America Radio. Jerry was a long-time recovering alcoholic, an AA sponsor and cheerleader to many, and a proud and loyal American and Republican! He was active in statewide Republican politics throughout his life, ran the Washington state ad campaigns for Republican gubernatorial and presidential candidates, and was a delegate at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Jerry's proudest moments were having the opportunity to meet and work with Governor and President Ronald Reagan and his staff on several occasions.
Jerry married his wife, Judy Argo Miller, on July 4, 1996. She brought tremendous love and joy to his life. Together they pursued their love of family, friends, politics, travel, movies, plays, and throwing amazing parties. Jerry was also blessed with five daughters, three of whom he happily indoctrinated in two of his favorite pastimes--football and shopping! Fashion was important to Jerry and he was once featured in a Seattle newspaper for his extraordinary collection of clothes and shoes--larger than that of his wife and daughters combined! Jerry will also be remembered for his love of holidays. Every holiday was celebrated with appropriate home décor, cards to loved ones, and many beautifully wrapped gifts. His daughters loved his picture-perfect, color-coded Christmas gifts that flowed from the tree to circle half the living room! And all who knew him respected his wit and his gifts for rhyme, alliteration, and wordplay.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Judy Argo Miller, brother, Roger D. Miller, daughters Gabrielle Dudley, Martinique Reeder, Alexandre Kristjansson, Jerele Lovely, and Jana Saylor, step-son, Adam Argo, sons-in-law, Steve Dudley and Merle Reeder, and grandchildren, Renee, Daniel, Rob, Anthony, Lydia, Amanda, Maggie, Molly, Erik, Maya, Gavin, Emily, and Andrea. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.
Tributes
"Judy"
"perfectly. It informational resource, I'll bookmark it and visit it again!"
"Rest in final peace my friend, you have well earned it. Our years of working together for the Magazine in the early 80's was most exciting and challenging without ever a dull moment. Your creativity was endless and zest for life unmatched by few. The trips together to Canada and DC will always remain as fond memories. Your dedication to the Program simply made it a better place for all of us. You will be missed and remembered with a warm spot in our hearts. Farewell my friend."
"Bill, Josh, Zach, and Margie"
"I am broken-hearted to learn of your passing, Jerry. You are a true friend and mentor. Jerry, I will remember your wit and your intellect. You believed in people as you believed in our great nation. I will think of you often,, and remember you fondly. To Judy, you are in my prayers. Jerry loved you dearly!"
"Lisa Vares - Teter"
"How does one articulate and pontificate in a manner befitting the memory of the master at appropriately using multi-syllabic words? Inadequately, at best. (In his honor, I had to give it a shot.) Working with Jerry was full of fun and surprises: on the radio, planning events, judging pageants, or working with clients he referred to me. He believed in me, encouraged me, (named Felicia Farkwort,) and gave me so many opportunities. I am grateful and honored to have called him my friend. My heart goes out to you, Judy. Jerry loved you so much."
"An accepting handshake and friendly smile; Jerry always brought warmth into the room. Even driving down the street in his bright yellow Tbird; his smile was infectious. I loved seeing his office with all of the photos of his endeavors. Both he and Judy exuded friendship and a pleasure in living. Thanks to both of you for sharing. We will miss you Jerry."
"Gabrielle Dudley"
"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and mentor. We've both battled with cancer these past few years and I didn't get to see him nearly as often as I wanted to, but Jerry was always on my mind and in my heart. I have little notes he'd send me on holiday or just because and keep all of my personalized calendars. How proud he was of his Ronald Reagan radio tapes and how quick witted he was on air. It was fabulous to watch and the hours in the studio flew by. I don't hold a candle to his wordsmithing (or inventive nicknames) but some of my favorite times were at his home plotting political strategy or sketching out radio shows. He was larger than life, had enough sequins for all of us and I will never forget how he literally lit up when he talked about Judy, his beloved bride. And how he loved Judy. He was always there with a lending hand, a kind word or simply to listen. He was a true friend, a mentor, an activist, a leader but above all a father and a husband. I will miss you dearly Jerry."
"Mukesh & Shikha"
"Yana,Katia,Sergey,John"
"Jerry , Thank you for blessing my life abundantly. Your craft of wordsmithing, interviewing skills and radio voice has been a invaluable gift in my professional life. Your abundant compassion and unparalleled humanity are attributes I hold dear to my heart. Thank you for the many fabulous memories. The legacy you leave each of us is the courage to stand firm in our resolve. You truly were always miles ahead of everyone else in innovative thought. Blessings Your Night Rap Producer and Host Lynn"
"I had the distinct pleasure in helping Judy and Jerry achieve their dream kitchen back in 2007. Jerry was such a gentleman and made it clear that this was Judy's project. I found him a very selfless man, who understood where priorities lie. Thank you Judy for allowing me to be a small part of yours and Jerry's life and take care as you've lost your best friend, I can tell. Blessings... Kathy Spellman"
"Dear Jerry, We will miss you! Our life will never be the same. You've been a great friend, mentor for all of us. Because of you we love America as much as we love you. And we know- no matter what- you always will be watching after us."
"Jerry, "We will miss you." Your help and support to our family will never be forgotten. Thank you for being you and bringing love,laughter, kindness, and "style" into our lives. We will be here for Judy, always. "Ride your butterfly into the heavens." We send our love and prayers to your family. Darlene and Randy Gilmore"
"Paul Elvig"
"Jerry was such a great gift to so many, and to alcoholism recovery especially. The pile of his Alcoholism magazines is at least a foot high on one of my book cases. He brought attention to the work of so many of NACoAâ??s founders; I still remember the fabulous picture of Claudia Black with a couple of kids on the magazine cover one time. And he promoted volunteerism in our field, even did a major spread on our volunteer work in Michigan promoting recovery and bringing attention to children of alcoholics in the early 80s. He created the annual award for Outstanding Achievement in Alcoholism Communications long before other such programs existed. He carved a path that made it possible for the greatest and the smallest to stand tall in their recovery, from alcoholism and from its impact on the family. He will be missed. "
"Claudia and I enjoyed years of friendship with Jerry, and then Jerry and Judy. Jerry lived his life to the fullest, with great passion in all his endeavors personally and professionally. His publications he founded in the 80's for the addiction field were pivotal to our field at that time and his legacy will always remain. We will miss him greatly. We will miss all of Jerry, his colorful clothes, his poetry that we received in his handmade birthday cards, his challenging questions.... his desire to influence and make the world a better place. He was also so blessed to have Judy with him these past ten years. We hope she finds peace knowing the happiness she brought him. Our condolences to all of Jerry's family. Jack Fahey and Claudia Black"
"Jerry Miller is a legend in the public relations and marketing field. He helped many people in their personal endeavors. He was a friend to many, and although he may not be with us physically, his spirit will be with us always. Bless him and thank him for the cherished memories of his life."
"Thanks for all the help, mentoring, encouragement, emotional support. You were always willing to share and help. You'll be sorely missed."
"Didrik & Mary Kay Voss"
"Dear Jerry, Rest in Peace. I ejoyed our short time together. Thank-you for teaching me that you can never have enough frozen yogurt :-) "
"Dad, may your days in heaven be as exciting as your days on earth. Say hi to Mom for me. Thank you for giving me life. You first born daughter, Jerele Dee"
"I love you dad! Give everyone a hug for me! -Your middlest daughter, "Muffy"."
"Evergreen Washelli"