Parker Dean Miller, 81, Multi-talented Man

He was born Nov. 23, 1927 was one of the "Greatest Generation," a "man's man" who began his adult life as a 17 year old in the Navy on a PT boat in the South Pacific, and ended it as a registered nurse, talented in emergency situations, and gifted diagnostician.

Parker was one of four children born to Norman and Edna Miller (nee Standen). Parker was born in an 1820s farm house in Amherst, his family farmed apples. During the depression, they were known for their generosity, welcoming and feeding the unemployed who followed the train tracks. Parker attended Amherst High School, playing varsity football his freshman year. His former father-in-law, "Supt Powers," said that he had never known a stronger or more versatile athlete, or a more precise machinist.

In 1944, Parker altered his birth certificate so he could enlist in the Navy at 16, and began naval service at 17. He was a radioman on a PT boat, a small and fast primarily wooden boat designed to attack Japanese destroyers with torpedoes. All of the crew was cross-trained, he communicated by Morse Code, and at another time would deliver torpedoes to Japanese ships using nothing but fins and snorkel.

He returned to Amherst, completed his High School diploma, and married his first wife, Mary (Powers) Miller. Parker's life followed a love of the outdoors: he was a member of the Isaac Walton League, area sportsmen's groups, and a NRA instructor. He hunted with both rifle and bow. He was employed in the Metropolitan Park System of Lorain and Lake County as Park Ranger Superintendent.

Parker served the children of Amherst and Lorain. He prepared the baseball diamond for the first Little League team in Amherst, and was an umpire. He was an early participant in Operation Open Heart, and was active in the Police Athletic League. He was a Red Cross swimming instructor. He amused generations of children (and adults) with his magic tricks.

He was a Lorain County Deputy Sheriff under Vernon Smith, and it was there that his interest in health care began. In 1958, he was one of the first trained in the use and teaching of Closed Cardiac Massage (now CPR.) He performed first aid as a Deputy Sheriff, once suffering a collapsed lung while trying to resuscitate two nearly drowned children. After providing first aid (and delivering babies) as an officer of the law, at fifty he eventually earned an degree in nursing at Lorain County Community College. He worked in all venues, but was particularly loved in the Emergency Room.

His contributions to the community included serving as Amherst Township Trustee in the 50s. He also contributed to historical reconstruction and reenactment of Civil War battles, making lead bullets on his stove, and shooting Civil War rifles. He helped to rebuild and restore to working order the Elyria cannon. the 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry won first place at a reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Stonington Masonic Lodge 503 of Amherst. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 30 of Lorain, the AMVETS Post 22 of Vermilion, 40 & 8 veteran organization, PT Boats Inc., V.U.M.S. (Veterans Underage Military Service) where he was a state representative.

Parker was a multitalented man, who lived a life to protect, serve and heal. He did all of these with unbounded energy, charm and charisma.

Parker is survived by his wife of 25 yrs Nancy Miller (nee Brackett) of Lorain, his children Julie (nee Miller) Felty, of Belmont, MA, Elizabeth Dean Miller Szefcyk, Norman Brydon Miller, & Joel Powers Miller all of Amherst, stepchildren Amanda Beeman, Brett Beeman, & Scott Helbig all of Lorain, a sister Cora Alice Godfrey of Lorain and ten grandchildren & eight great grandchildren.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Robert Miller and Norman Miller, killed in Korea.

His family will receive friends Tuesday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, (440) 277 8164. Where a Masonic service will be at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of his funeral at service in the funeral home. Rev. Attila Somogyi pastor of the Amherst Congressional United Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will follow Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst Township, where the American Legion Post 30 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 451 both of Lorain will conduct military honors.