Fort Davis native John Kimball Miller, 90, was an aviator, family man, rancher, entrepreneur, and servant leader. He died peacefully, surrounded by family on Oct. 26, 2021, in Alpine, Texas.

The only child of John Keesey and Lillian Yarbro Miller, Kimball graduated from Fort Davis High School in 1948. Like his father, he attended Texas A&M University, where he studied Animal Husbandry and proudly marched in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. Whoop! While at A&M he found his true love, Patricia Anne Renfroe. He graduated in 1952, and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

There he pursued his great passion, flying. He flew the B-47 nuclear bomber throughout the beginning of the Cold War. Kimball left the service in 1956 to fly for Braniff Airways, marry Pat in 1957, and start a family. He loved flying for Braniff and the friends it brought him, but this first career was cut short by a health issue in 1971. This was the first but not the last test of his and Pat’s resilience.

They moved their family to Fort Davis, Texas, in 1974, where he began his second and third careers. He joined his father Keesey and cousin Clay in ranching on the family’s Miller Ranch near Valentine, Texas, and started his independent real estate brokerage in Fort Davis, Kimball Miller Real Estate. Over the years he mentored several real estate professionals, and made his mark on his community and its people.

He was dedicated in faith, attending First Presbyterian Church in Fort Davis where he served as a deacon and elder. He was a long-time fixture at Bloys camp meeting. He valued education, and served on the Fort Davis School Board from 1979-2002 and was board president from 1985-2002. He served on the board of the Region 18 Education Service Center from 2004-2015, and was board secretary from 2007-2015. Kimball was elected to the board of the Rio Grande Electric Cooperative in 2007, and served through 2015.

Kimball had a quick wit, a dry sense of humor, and a strong will to live. He met the challenges of multiple heart surgeries and strokes head-on. Each time Kimball and Pat returned to Fort Davis, they were welcomed home by tremendous support from family and friends. In recent years, living comfortably in their home has been possible for Kimball and Pat because of special care from their compassionate caregivers and wonderful medical professionals.

The richness in Kimball and Pat’s lives is a direct result of the support and love of so many special people in Fort Davis and the area. You have all blessed them and our entire family immensely, and we are forever grateful!

A memorial service is planned for Kimball on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort Davis First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Kimball Miller to the Fort Davis First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 832, Fort Davis TX 79734, or the Fort Davis Higher Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1339, Fort Davis TX 79734.

Kimball leaves a legacy of courage, integrity, and love for his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pat; their three children and nine grandchildren, daughter Michele Miller Browning (Brad) and their children Ben Browning (Amber), Whitney Repking (Michael), and Sarah Parker (Bryan); sons Keesey Renfroe Miller (Sandra) and their children Annika, Stella, and Faith, and Andrew Kimball Miller (Heidi) and their children Ren, Kate, and Ada. In addition, Kimball is survived by six greatgrandchildren, numerous cousins, and extended family members. Oh Papa!.