James Miller

October 19, 1921 - August 12, 2011

James Peery Miller, one of four children of Don F. and Madge (Peery) Miller, was born October 19, 1921 on a farm near Auburn, Nebraska. He attended a rural school and graduated from Auburn High School in 1939. On August 3, 1942 Jim enlisted in the U. S. Navy as an Aviation Metalsmith during World War II. After his honorable discharge in 1946, Jim returned to Auburn. On August 21, 1948 Jim was united in marriage to Wanda C. Norris at the Christian Church in Auburn. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Jamie and Susan. Jim and Wanda had lived in eight different states before settling back in Auburn, but spent 27 years in Ames, IA. While in Ames, Jim was the general manager and owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the first KFC to make it to Iowa. Jim also started J.P. Miller Operations, Inc. while in Ames, which was in charge of 18 KFC?s throughout Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. He operated an air taxi and charter business out of Ames, as well as managing motion picture theaters in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas. Jim and Wanda were baptized together at the First Christian Church in Slater, MO. They were members of Apache Wells Community Church in Mesa, Arizona. Jim had served on the Board of the Iowa Restaurant Association, was a Mason and Shriner, and belonged to the Ames and Apache Wells Country Clubs. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially golf and bowling. He loved to play cards, especially with his kids and grandkids. On Friday, August 12, 2011 Jim passed away in New Mexico, having reached the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 24 days. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his two sons, one daughter, brothers Gale Miller and George Rothrock, and sister Donna Mae Peery. Survivors include his wife Wanda of Auburn; daughters Jamie (Michael) Flatebo of Arroyo Grande, CA; Susan Miller of Salt Lake City, UT; 8 grandchildren of CA, UT, WA, and AZ; niece Judy Heidzig of Auburn; nephew Barry Long of Colorado; other relatives and friends.