Obituary: Kenneth Edwin Miller, 82 — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region

Kenneth Edwin Miller, 82, was born in The Dalles, Oregon on October 15, 1941, the first child of Kenneth F. Miller and Laura Swett Miller. Kenny, as he was known when he was young, was joined by a sister, Donna, in 1943 and by a brother, Jimmy, in 1950. Ken, as he was known as an adult, passed on to his heavenly home on August 21, 2024.

Kenny spent his childhood in Boyd, Oregon near Dufur and attended Dufur Schools during his elementary and high school years. Kenny was an avid reader, an accomplished artist, and always enjoyed learning. But his lifelong passion was football. The love of the game began in the Dufur Park playing 6-man ball for Dufur High School. During summer breaks, Ken worked in the harvest fields and had a deep love for farming and the outdoors.

Ken graduated from high school in 1959 and began attending Dickinson State College in Dickinson, North Dakota where he played and excelled in football. After 2 years at Dickinson, Ken returned to Oregon and attended Eastern Oregon for a year. Ken married Betty Basche in Richland, OR in June 1962. Kenny and Betty resided in The Dalles for a couple of years where Ken worked at various jobs, including a stint at Harvey Aluminum. During this break from college life, Ken and Betty were joined by a daughter, Kail Sue. But since Ken’s passion was still football, they decided to move their small family back to Dickinson, North Dakota where Ken could once again pursue his dream of teaching and coaching. Ken attended college, worked to support his family, and played his chosen sport of football. Just prior to his graduating with a teaching degree in 1966, the Miller family added another member, a son, Kenneth Robert, who is affectionately known as Bob. Ken remained friends with many of his college friends and coaches who enjoyed following Ken’s coaching career, some of whom travelled to Canada many years later to see their prodigy coach in the CFL.

Ken’s first teaching/coaching position was in Vernonia, OR 1967 to 1970. Although Ken enjoyed this position where he made lifelong friends, he and his family moved to southern California for a teaching and football coaching position at Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, CA. What took Ken away from the Yucaipa position was the opportunity to coach college football at the University of Redlands in nearby Redlands, CA. Their family home continued to be in Yucaipa for many years. Ken had a long and successful career coaching U of R Bulldog football, and for many of those years, he coached their baseball team as well. Ken continued to receive accolades from his many friends, players, students and colleagues for his work at U of R for the remainder of his life.

Ken and Betty divorced while still living in Yucaipa but remained friends with a mutual respect for each other’s life choices and accomplishments going forward. Betty moved back to the hometown of her childhood, Richland, OR, remarried and enjoyed her love of country life and horses. Betty passed away in July of 2023.

Ken married his true love, Maureen, in December 1998. She remained his complete support, soulmate, and cheerleader until his passing.

Shortly after retiring from the University of Redlands, Ken had the “opportunity of a lifetime” to travel to Toronto Canada for some CFL coaching responsibilities. So, Ken, along with his wife, Maureen, began their 9-year exciting journey as CFL enthusiasts with Ken handling various coaching duties and Maureen supporting every step of the way. Ken was always quick and sincere to let everyone know how much she contributed to his successes. Ken would also acknowledge that his faith was a great source of strength and peace in his life.

Ken’s most lengthy tenure with a team in Canada was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. These kind words were posted by the Saskatchewan Riders organization upon learning of Ken’s passing: “The Saskatchewan Roughriders are heartbroken over the passing of former Head Coach Ken Miller. Ken was part of the Roughriders for a prosperous five seasons that included a Grey Cup in 2007 as the offensive coordinator and two additional Grey Cup appearances in 2009 and 2010 when he was head coach. A beloved leader of men, he was a finalist for Coach of the Year in all three full seasons he led the Roughriders. We were hounored to induct him into the SaskTel Plaza of Honour as a builder in 2022. Perhaps the only thing that matched his skill as a football coach was the way he made you feel in his presence. Whether you were just meeting him for the first time or knew him well, you felt his warmth and genuine kindness. We will miss him dearly. On behalf of Rider Nation we send our love and condolences to his wife Maureen, his family, friends and loved ones and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Yes, Ken was truly a builder of people. He was a life coach as well as a football coach and changed the lives of many for the better. Ken’s family continues to receive letters of gratitude from former players and students stating how his leadership molded their personal lives and their careers.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Maureen; sister, Donna Underhill (Ed) Dufur, OR; brother, Jim Miller, Dufur, OR; son, Bob Miller (Chris) Paso Robles, CA and their two daughters, Ande and Megan; daughter, Kail Miller, Richland, OR and her two sons, Kip and Shawn and their families; 3 step-children and their families; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will greatly miss his presence.

There will be a funeral mass near his home in North Carolina on August 29th, a memorial mass in Saskatchewan on September 18th, and a memorial mass at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Dufur, OR on September 13th at 12:00 noon with sharing of lunch and memories following. The family is very appreciative of all the love and support we have received.