Obituary of Donald Eugene Miller

Donald Eugene Miller passed from this life into the next on January 4, 2024 after an extended stay at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Don was born on October 27, 1950 to Thelma and Fred Miller in Montrose, CO. He spent the school year in the mountains and the summers on the family dry wheat farm in Genoa, CO. As a young man he was blessed with a daughter Angela while working various jobs across the western states, including the largest (at the time) wind turbine project in Medicine Bow, WY.

Living in a small tight community, he had many lifelong friends. With his best friend George, Don enjoyed many an adventure – building high wheel bikes, pheasant hunting during school lunch breaks, and deer hunting in the old Willys Jeep. In high school, he played trombone, wrestled and played football. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Industrial Construction Management. He was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity with his brother Bob.

He moved east in the late 80’s for business, working on various nuclear waste programs. He met his wife Karen Cavallo while working on a project in Columbus, OH. They married and moved to Northern Virginia where they started a family, adding a son Max. Don continued his career in what he referred to as Planes, Trains and Automobiles as he worked on construction projects at Dulles Airport, the D.C. Metro, and the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Don was a lifelong sports enthusiast, most recently cheering for the Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals and the Duke Blue Devils. He had a passion and a talent for woodworking and spent many hours in his workshop creating gifts for family and friends, refinishing furniture, and lending out his skills to the neighbors whenever he was called upon.

Don is survived by his wife, Karen and two children, Angela Miller Wasko (Matthew) of Stuttgart, Germany and Max Gabriel Miller of Falls Church, VA; his brother Robert Miller (Carol) and sister Joyce Gumma of Aurora, CO; nephew Lee Miller (Jenn) of Aurora, CO; niece Crystal Diego (John ) of Englewood, CO; Shannon Robertson (Curt) of Wisconsin; and Andrew Gumma of Texas, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January13th at 11:00 am at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chainbridge Road, McLean, VA 22101. A luncheon reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer or a charity of your choice.