Arthur John Miller

Arthur John Miller, aka "Ornery Art," kicked the proverbial bucket (died peacefully) early Tuesday morning, September 30, 2025, three days after his 80th birthday, following a three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He fought his cancer privately without fanfare or fuss, and most people didn't even know about it until he was gone. Art's kids think he's one tough old bugger.

Art was born September 27, 1945 to Arthur William and Muriel Miller in Queens Village, New York. Art's cherished childhood memories included weekend and summer visits to his grandfather's farm in Spring Valley, upstate New York, being a star pitcher on an upper division baseball team and beating up the class bully on the way home from school.

Art's family moved from New York to Utah when he was 10 years old. They stayed in the Avenues of Salt Lake City for a short time, where he attended Stewart School on the University of Utah Campus. The family moved to Bountiful, Utah during the middle of Art’s 7th- grade year. Art attended South Davis Jr. High and Bountiful High School, where he played football and wrestled. Art peaked in high school when he met Karen Gold in Junior English class. They became fast friends and were basically inseparable from that day forward.

Following high school, Art and Karen married and started their family while they both attended the University of Utah. Art graduated from the "U" with a degree in Math and Teaching. He taught Math at Viewmont High School while coaching the JV football team. Deciding that he couldn't raise a family on a teacher's salary (even though he loved teaching and coaching), Art pursued his MBA at the University of Utah and graduated with honors. After earning his MBA and CPA (we teased him that it took him twice to pass the Ethics portion), Art moved his family to Northern California, where he landed a great job with Peat Marwick (KPMG). Art and Karen loved living in California, especially the weather, the vegetation, the Major League Baseball games, the parks, and the museums. But Art hated the "two-hour each way" commute. They moved home to Bountiful in 1973 and stayed put until his death.

Art was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 23, and he and Karen were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS temple with their two boys on October 6, 1969. He was an active member of the church for the remainder of his life and taught his kids to always say "yes" to callings and opportunities.

Art always made time for his kids. He coached all their baseball, basketball, and softball teams. He was notorious for his loud voice at the ball fields and his "we always play to win" attitude. As the kids got older, he even organized a family slow-pitch softball team that he coached. He would occasionally play if it was a blowout but would always prefer to sit on the bench to secure the win. He was a "not everyone gets a trophy" kind of dad. If you want it, you've got to earn it. Art loved watching sports! He and Karen traveled across the United States every year to find good restaurants and visit their favorite Major League Baseball stadiums to cheer on their teams. Even though Art was a Yankees fan, he took Karen to Fenway Park every September so she could watch her Red Sox play. He even wore the Red Sox gear. Art and Karen were also lifelong Ute fans. They've had season tickets to the basketball and football games for over 40 years. We have been given strict instructions by Art never to give any of the tickets to BYU fans!

Art has always been a huge proponent for education. His education allowed him the possibility of owning his own company (Mollerup Glass Co.), which he and his kids have been running since 1998. It has been a fulfilling career with the perk of daily lunches with the boys. Art has encouraged all his kids and grandkids to pursue higher education after high school and has funded countless Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He has also funded two scholarships every year for Bountiful High School graduates. Despite his MBA and CPA, Art's secret ambition in life was to be a farmer or work as a grounds crew worker for an MLB field. He loved being outside, travelling, planting his garden, and driving his tractor.

Art was an extremely talented storyteller! We never knew what was fabrication or truth. He was an expert in embellishment and loved to recount his tales to the grandkids. Our personal favorites were stories supposedly based on experiences at former jobs, how Karen was a cradle robber (he insisted that grandma was somewhere between 5 and 10 years older than him), and that he truly had a third eye on his backside (which he drew on with a Sharpie to foster believability).

One thing Art never talked about was how generous he was to others. He would always pick up the tab for dinner – regardless of the size of the group. He would anonymously help out friends and neighbors with an envelope of cash left on the doorstep or a donation given through the bishop. And he would hire any youth who was willing to work in his yard or at his shop if they needed to earn some money. And it usually included a lunch date with Art. A tenet he learned in his youth from his grandfather was, “I will give you everything that I have, but I will never loan you a dime.” Art gave and gave everything he had, without discrimination.

Art was an avid reader and especially loved science fiction novels. His other loves included: convertible sports cars, animals, racquetball, tennis, concerts (The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne), watching Newhart with the grandkids, listening to "Prairie Home Companion" on NPR, and watching magic shows. He had an eclectic taste and was always fun to talk to. The grandkids loved being in Grandpa's car during vacations because of his fun music selection and entertaining stories. We will miss his wit and humor.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Muriel A. Miller (sister), Arthur J. Miller II (son), and Steven Barlow (son-in-law).

Art is survived by Karen (wife), Court (Shauna) Miller (brother), and Children: Alicia Miller (daughter-in-law), Bill Miller, Mark (Maralee) Miller, Jenny (Steve) Broadhead, Mike (Erin) Miller, with sixteen grandchildren (8 spouses), five great-grandchildren, and two on the way.

Art has always liked doing things his own way, and he never cared what others thought of him. Art was adamant about not wanting a traditional funeral. He disliked being in the spotlight and hated the idea of being on display. He was a good man, a doting husband, an exemplary father, a loyal friend, and a fun guy to be around. He has touched and lifted countless lives and has created numerous friendships over the years. We want to honor his life at an open house gathering with friends and family at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah, on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening. All are welcome. Art will be buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery next to his son, Arthur, the following day.

Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com.