Noel "Jack" Miller

Noel Jackson (Jack) Miller was welcomed into Heaven in the wee hours of Monday, February 15, 2016. Born on December 26, 1935 in Randolph County, he was 80 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty Greene Miller and by his parents Emory C. and Mary Barnett Miller. Also preceded in death by his brothers, Bill Miller and Larry Miller; and by sisters, Martha Jane Miller and Marylyn Bunting. In addition, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Connie Childers. The funeral service will be held at Ridge Funeral Home on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. with graveside service to follow at West Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, where they will also render military honors. The services will be conducted by Dr. Earl Crow, current pastor at West Chapel and by Rev. Lee Ellis, retired pastor of West Chapel, both of whom he had great respect for. He is survived by his daughters, Vickie Castevens (Alvin) of Franklinville, NC and Penny Isom (Pete) of Asheboro, NC. Also survived by his grandchildren, Kelly Sinclair (Allen), Lee Isom (Kathy) and Adam Carpenter (Crystal); grandson-in-law, Matt Childers; by nine great-grandchildren: Megan, Daniel, Hayden, Jackson, Steven, Jacob, Vinson, and Greyson & Kaitlyn; and by one great-great grandchild, Kynslee. Also surviving are his brothers, E.C. Miller (Dorothy) of Randleman, NC, Johnny Miller (Delores), Charles Miller (Joyce) all of Asheboro, NC, Don Miller of Newton, NC; and by sisters, Joyce Skeen, Beverly Miller and Nancy Freeman all of Asheboro, NC. Born and raised in Randolph County, he enlisted in the US Army at age 17, via his mother's signature and spent his active duty overseas in Germany. Once home, he stayed in the US Army Reserve and later applied for a job in the Civil Service brand of the US Army, manning the Armory Reserve center in Asheboro for many, many years. He retired from the US Army in 1995 with 35+ years of combined service and with the rank of CSM (Command Sergeant Major). During his esteemed military career, he was a mentor to so many, upon retirement he was awarded The Legion of Merit, 7th in order of precedence for the US Army. An award rarely given to enlisted members. After his retirement, he became a member of the 108th Griffon Association, attending meetings regularly, and where he served as a board member for 16 years. In addition, he was a regular participant and leader of the well-known Breakfast Club of the 2-485th regiment, 108th Division that met quarterly to eat breakfast and exchange stories about their military careers at Magnolia 23 in downtown Asheboro. He enjoyed working outside on home improvement projects and on any project where he could use his hands as well as his brain. He loved crossword puzzles, and loved reading about history, especially as it related to military battles. He loved his family most of all, and enjoyed family gatherings at his home and family reunions in the mountains of Tennessee, where his parents grew up. He made a lot of friends over the years and was considered to be a mentor to many. He was well liked and respected, someone you could always count on to help you or point you in the right direction. A wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, he was loved by all. He loved his church family, and was a proud member of West Chapel United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Ridge Funeral Home and other times at his home, The family request memorials be made to Hospice of Randolph County, PO Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204, Randolph County Honor Guard, PO Box 1672, Asheboro, NC 27204 or to West Chapel UMC, 1739 West Chapel Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Randolph County, especially their home health staff, with special thanks to Lynette White, Kathy Pate and Kathy Isom.