On Friday, June 28, 2013, Kenneth "Ken" Miller passed away. He was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on July 7, 1930 to Alexander and Lillian Miller. He grew up in Lyman, Nebraska on the family farm and graduated from Lyman High School. Ken and his four brothers farmed, played in bands, boxed and were bonded together their entire lives. Ken married his life-long love, Zelma Fulton when he was 20. As he put it, it was the best thing he ever did. They were married for 63 years and were partners and best friends to the end. Ken and Zelma began their agriculture career in Wyoming where he was honored as the Young Farmer of the Year in 1960. They had two children, Lee Ann and Kenneth Allen. With a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" attitude, Ken and Zelma decided to move to eastern Washington to break ground on a new farm in 1962. They packed the kids and home belongings into their car and truck and shipped the farm equipment in a railcar to Basin City, Washington. Ken had immediate farming success winning awards for corn and sugar beet production his first season in Washington. Ken and Zelma moved the family to Othello in 1963 where they farmed for four years, several of those years in partnership with brother Fred and his wife Betty. Ultimately Ken's parents and all of his brothers and families followed him to the Othello area to farm, as well as his many high school friends, who were his extended family.
Ken seized an opportunity to finally own farmland when the Bureau of Reclamation opened up Block 17 just outside of Pasco in 1966. At the time he moved the family to Pasco there was nothing but sage brush, sand dunes, lizards and snakes. Ken, Zelma and the kids walked the entire border of the parcel and it was decided this would be the next place to call home. Through the years, Ken farmed sugar beets, corn, alfalfa, wheat, beans, red clover seed, potatoes and raised cattle.
In 1980, Ken decided it was time for a new career and sold the farm but continued to live there, keeping the family home. Ken had become a vocal leader of the farm community especially in regard to tax issues in the early 1970's and wanted to go into politics to continue in that role. Believing that if you did not like the status quo you should change it, Ken ran for Franklin County Commissioner in 1980 and held his seat for 12 years, retiring in 1992. Ken was known for his no nonsense approach, his commitment to his community and his personal integrity. Ken gave his all for any board or committee he worked on and believed the County Commissioner job was not a part-time job but a 24/7 commitment.
After retiring for the second time, Ken and Zelma moved to Desert Aire, where they enjoyed golfing, fishing and travel, especially their annual trip to Hawaii with their Nebraska and Block 17 friends. In 2005, they moved back to Pasco to be closer to family and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his daughter Lee Ann Miller Whittaker, his parents Alexander and Lillian Miller and three brothers Clarence, Fred, Bob, sister Elinor and infant brother Russell. He was survived by his loving wife and partner Zelma, his son Ken Karen, his granddaughter Kendra Lance, and great grandson Knox. Also, his brother Wilbert Sue, sister-in-laws Donna Miller, Alvina Miller, and brother-in-laws Scott Fulton, Jack Fulton Mary, sister-in-law Janice DeBoer Bill, sister-in-law Mary Lee Bragg and numerous nephews and nieces as well as his extended Nebraska family of lifelong friends and the Morris family. A service will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the Memories at Sunset Event Center located at 915 Bypass Highway in Richland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice at The Chaplaincy whose support and kindness is greatly appreciated. The family thanks the staff of Guardian Angel Homes for their care and support.