James "Jim" Newell Miller

James “Jim” Newell Miller died in Galveston, Texas on March 25, 2024 at the age of 89. Jim was born September 21, 1934 in Sunflower County, Mississippi, and spent his childhood in the Mississippi Delta. He was a 1952 graduate of Yazoo City High School and enlisted in the United States Army from 1954-1957. He married Ann Cuthbertson on May 25, 1957, and the couple moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Jim received a degree in mechanical engineering from Ole Miss.  After graduation, Jim moved with his family to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he and Ann raised three children and lived for more than 50 years. He practiced as a professional engineer for Copolymer Rubber & Chemical Corporation until his retirement in 1997. Jim held fond memories of his life in Baton Rouge and his dear friends who remain there, including Billy and Jackie Bueto, Janola Duke, Joyce Walker, and many others. 

In 2016, Jim and Ann moved to Galveston, Texas, where Jim remained after Ann’s death in 2018. Jim nurtured dear friendships during his time in Galveston, including companion Joann Walgamuth and friend Huntley Kenneson. He particularly cherished his time at a Tuesday lunch group at the invitation of Paulie Gaido and a coffee group with Manny Chan and others.  He also enjoyed traveling with friends in the Texas Hill Country and overseas.  

Jim served for more than 45 years as a lifetime member of Kiwanis International, holding the offices of president, past president, and lieutenant governor of the Baton Rouge chapter. Among friends, Jim was known as a gracious host and the “the life of the party.” Above all, Jim loved his family, who dearly loved him in return and will forever know him as “Pa.” Jim may perhaps best be known for his resilience, providing a model for those around him on handling adversity and change with a smile. He never let circumstance or hardship prevent him from living his fullest life. 

Both Jim and his family wish to thank Dr. Erin Hommel, Dr. Avi Markowitz, and Dr. John Walker of the University of Texas Medical Branch for the care they provided him in the final years of his life. Jim received outstanding and passionate care from Stelis Hospice, and he was very fond of his nurse, Annette Boudreau. 

Jim is survived by daughter Sally Byrom and husband James Byrom, son James Miller and wife Shawn Miller;  daughter-in-law Graham Miller; sisters Patsy Alderman, Cora Cronin, and Lora Arnold; sister-in-law Ellen Campbell; grandchildren Annie Blancken and husband Mark Blancken, Jack Byrom, Ellie Byrom, Taylor Miller and wife Yun Chai, Hayden Miller and wife Michelle Miller, Mary Madalyn St. Pierre and husband Ryan St. Pierre, Clyde Miller, and Maggie Miller; and great-grandchildren Colette “Coco” Miller, Jackson Blancken, Lena Blancken, Scarlett Blancken, and Carson Blancken. He is preceded in death by wife Ann Miller of Baton Rouge; son John Miller of Baton Rouge; and parents Norman Miller and Madge Miller of Yazoo City, Mississippi. 

A service honoring Jim’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2216 Avenue H, Galveston, Texas 77550, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00am.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association 6055 South Loop East, Houston, TX 77087, The Kiwanis Club of Galveston, PO Box 3128, Galveston, TX 77552, or Trinity Episcopal Church of Galveston (see address above).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim" Newell Miller, please visit our floral store.