Nathanial "Mick" Oren Miller

Nathaniel "Mick" Oren Miller, 85, of Pendleton and formerly of Cove, died Jan. 4.

A celebration of his life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Eagles in Pendleton. Flowers may be sent to Eagles, 435 SE First St., Pendleton 97801. Family and friends can send condolences at www.burnsmortuary.com.

Mick was born Aug. 14, 1924, to Laurel and Mary Miller in Cove. As a child he lived in Baker County and attended school there, graduating from Baker High School in 1944.

He married Nina Hale as a young man, then in 1988 he met Neva Fordice and they were partners until her death in 2008.

During his youth, he worked on many ranches in Baker County as a hired hand as well as working for the Burnt River Lumber Mill. He also was the assistant fire chief of Haines from 1970 to 1980.

He then moved to the Pendleton area in 1985. Mick enjoyed the beautiful lakes and forest. Some of his hobbies were picking mushrooms, fishing and hunting. In his later years he enjoyed watching and feeding the squirrels around his home in Pendleton.

He is survived by children Wanda Alanis of Pendleton, Tina Garfaloof Newport, Barbara Altizer of Pendleton, Virgil Miller of Texas and Darrel Davison of Oklahoma; siblings, Delbert Miller of Baker and Ann Hacket of Baker; 23 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ray Miller, Obel Miller and Bill Miller; and son, Steve Miller.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Burns Mortuary-Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton 97801.

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