John Lawrence Miller

John Lawrence Miller, 86, a resident of Las Vegas, NM passed away on Thursday following an extended illness. He was born on June 6, 1925 in Stonehaven, Scotland to the late Rene Taylor and John Miller. John played violin in the High School Orchestra of Mackie Academy, Stonehaven then went to Aberdeen University at the at of 16 and in 3 years obtained a BS c in Electrical Engineering with Honors. Then on to Kings College at 19 where he excelled academically and received his PhD in Electrical Engineering. At Kings College he loved soccer and scored the very first goal against Germany after World War II.
He married Hazel Lambeth in 1953 and they had two sons together, Julian and James. He and Hazel moved to the United States in 1955 to take his job with California Edison and they settled in North Hollywood, CA. After his wife died, he moved with his two sons to Orlando, FL where he worked at Ralph M. Parsons Company. In 1965-67 he worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as a Systems Engineer working on designs for mag-lev trains and developed regenerative braking systems long before sustainable and eco were common words. From 1967-69 at NERAC a spin off of NASA in the University of Connecticut as an Information Specialist. He married Monique Hammerli in Storrs, Connecticut then Bolton, Connecticut from 1967-69. From 1969-78 he worked in Durham, NH as a freelance Information Consultant pioneering computer search technologies long before they became important.
At the age of 52 he again took up soccer when it was requested that he coach the summer soccer league which consisted of university students and serious soccer players in Durham, N.H. He was the coach but he would also play and ended that summer as the highest scorer on the team. John loved art and always wanted to be an artist. In 1978, his sons grown, he decided to travel across the US. He lived for a year at a commune in Massachusetts and helped them write grants for solar projects. In 1979 he was asked to be the driver of a tour bus that took the rock band 'Yes' on a cross country tour and across Canada. After traveling he eventually settled in Santa Fe for many years. There he fulfilled his desire to be an artist. At first he was painting and creating large forms of art in all media. A surprise success in his new life as an artist was placing handmade paintings on magnets in the '80's. Demand for these refrigerator magnets took off as he would create and deliver them all over the southwest. He became known as Quest of the Magnet Magnate.
He was active politically, had strong opinions and loved to support the underdog. Like many people John enjoyed his cars especially a '36 Buick he bought in Colorado, a Ford station wagon, and in '690 the first Ford Pop-Top camper Econoline Van which he drove around the southeast US camping, and a yellow Ford Capri he drove in New England. John loved walking and these long 'walk and talks' will always will always be remembered by friends and family.
He is survived by his two sisters, Ella Taylor Duthie and Doreen Haden; a brother Walter Miller, and his two sons, Julian and James, and granddaughter Sophia Miller.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life and a gathering of remembrance of all those who were touched by John will be on Tuesday, April 17 from 2-4 p.m. at the El Fidel Restaurant in Las Vegas, NM.
Quotes:
From his sister Ella "He was a super guy, always so much fun." She was very very fond of him. Ella also recounted a story about her brother to her daughter Elaine. "Mum tells a lovely story about John's closeness to his wee sister (she calls him Lawrie). During WW2 when rationing was in force in the UK and life was quite a bleak when John, as a student was staying with a family at Westburn Road, Aberdeen, a birthday party was thrown in his honor by the family. Instead of inviting a girlfriend, John invited Mum (then 13/14/ years old). She still has special, vivid memories of this party. Intriguingly she was recently having a coffee in a café in Aberdeen and an elderly lady came over to speak with her. She was the daughter of the said family and she spoke to Mum about John and the party all those years ago. Mum had not met this lady for many years.
From his son Julian "He was a creative, intelligent and athletic person who loved to talk on any subject. He often remarked he missed the pubs of England because they were quieter than US bars and you could actually talk to people." He was very visual and loved the arts that's one reason he was so happy in Santa Fe."
From his son James "A spirited conversationalist, he perfected the gift of gab. Not to show off his intellect, but to offer his perspective while learning from others. Always living a
simple life, he displayed the true Scottish trait of frugality and simplicity. This was only perpetuated by his love for New England's true 'Yankee Spirit'. His favorite home and mine growing up was the 'Live Free or Die' state of New Hampshire. This state motto translated into the same way he raised his two boys - with much freedom and independence.
From his friend Bill Zeek, " John was a kind, loving, intelligent man whose friendship, walks and talks I treasured during the 5 years I knew him. For those that have been touched by John and have a story, may be sent to james@ProCamNYC.com.

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