Eddie Miller, Jr.

Marvin "Eddie" E. Miller, Jr., 70, of Mountain Home and formerly of North Fort Myers, Fla., died at home on Sept. 17, 2008.

A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 22, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Military Honors were by American Legion Post #26 of Mountain Home.

Eddie was born on April 28, 1938, to Marvin E. and Ruby F. Miller in Punta Gorda, Fla. He lived with his family in Punta Gorda and later in North Fort Myers until he joined the United States Navy in 1954.

Eddie served in the Navy for 20 years "and was an exemplary serviceman," his family said. "He received numerous good conduct awards and letters of commendation." Eddie served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War in the Gulf of Tonkin on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Ranger. When the USS Pueblo was seized the USS Ranger steamed from the Gulf of Tonkin to the coast of North Korea, where it stayed on station for four months.

Eddie went to instructor duty at Millington Naval Air Station in 1969, where he taught Marines aircraft hydraulics, "again earning many awards for his dedication to his job and country," his family noted.

He retired in 1974 and returned to Florida and entered the family business. Eddie was a third generation Water Well Contractor. He dedicated his time, energy and knowledge of the groundwater industry to the State of Florida in his many roles as president of the Florida Water Well Association, Water Management District's Advisory Boards and as director of the National Water Well Association.

Eddie met his wife, Shirley, in 1962 while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. They were married on Oct. 23, 1964. Tthey had two children, Sheryl and Mark.

In 1991, Eddie and Shirley relocated to Idaho and Eddie went back to work in the water well drilling industry with Hiddleston Drilling and Pump in Mountain Home.

In 1994, Eddie left Hiddleston and went to work at the Ada County Highway District, where he worked until he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and again retired.

"Eddie loved his family, God and country and his model As," his family said. "He owned one at the age of 13 and had one ever since."

Eddie is survived by: his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Sheryl Miller; his son, Mark and his wife, Diana Miller; two grandsons; his sisters Linda Hawley and Sharon Burgess, and his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to a favorite cancer research program.