Charles Anthony Miller, Jr

Tony Miller was born Charles Anthony Miller, Jr. in Long Beach, CA to Charles Anthony Miller and Florence Madalyn Taylor Miller on September 19, 1937.  He died quietly in his sleep late at night on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.  He was 85.

Tony Miller was the eldest of 3 children (sisters Marsha and Madalyn) and graduated from Helix High School in La Mesa, CA and then the University of Redlands (class of 1959).  He attended graduate school at the University of Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Jo (Norma Jo Evans Miller).  They were classmates and duplicate bridge partners and were married June 24, 1960 in Harper, KS.  The pair attended graduate school at San Diego State where they each achieved a masters in Math and taught at various schools.  They moved to Ridgecrest in 1973 after a brief stint in Ontario, CA.  Tony worked as a Quality Control/Reliability Engineer for various defense contractors mostly supporting China Lake NAWS and retired over 30 years ago.  Jo got a second masters in Computer Science and worked as a branch head.  Tony and Jo divorced after 2 decades and four children, but remained bridge partners until Jo moved to Tijeras, NM where she passed in December of 2001.  Tony is survived by his four children; Laura Lei Miller of Ridgecrest, CA; Diane Marie Miller of San Bernardino, CA; William (Bill) Anthony Miller of Las Vegas, NV (partner Mary Higley); and Bethany (Beth) Jo Miller of Henderson, NV.

In Ridgecrest, Tony helped with his kids swim team activities, played softball, was a member of ASQC (American Society of Quality Control), helped with various Space Weeks, and a member of a 12-step recovery group celebrating 35 years in January 2023.  He loved reading, puzzles and games, and was often seen at various eating establishments around Ridgecrest with either a crossword or sudoku in hand. He loved going to plays and listening to classical music.  For several years he would travel to San Bernardino for the San Bernardino Symphony and plays in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Redlands.  However, Tony primarily loved to play duplicate bridge.  He was a Diamond Life Master, taught bridge classes, and directed the duplicate games in the Ridgecrest bridge clubs.  His highest achievement was winning a national title in Albuquerque, NM in 1997, then called the Red Ribbon pairs, with his second-favorite partner, his daughter Diane.  Tony represented Southern California at bridge National Tournaments multiple times in various team and pair competitions and enjoyed traveling the country doing that.

Tony is survived by his sisters; Marsha Diane DeGolier of Helena, MT and Madalyn Eve Schwicker of Nipomo, CA (spouse, David Schwicker).  Also surviving are his great granddaughters Scarlett and Sophia of Las Vegas, NV as well as a daughter-of-the-heart Penny Gilmore of Ridgecrest, CA.  Tony's extended family included nieces; Tammy Hay (children Mariah and Hannah) and Danica Hatch (spouse Dean, children Micaela, Ariel, and Brianna) and nephews; Paul DeGolier (spouse Lynn, children Brooke and Leland), Darren Kramer (partner Pam, children Zora and Nick), and Danny Kramer.  He loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on March 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ridgecrest United Methodist Church.  Remembrance messages can be left online www.HollandandLyons.com The family is asking that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to one of the following;  Classical 89.7 (KCNV, a classical music station in Las Vegas, NV); CLOTA (Community Light Opera & Theatre Association in Ridgecrest, CA); San Bernardino Symphony (San Bernardino, CA); or Redlands Footlighters (Redlands, CA).