Ronald Miller

Ronald Elmer Miller, age 71, died unexpectedly at his house in Cheyenne on July 31, 2024. His family is shocked and deeply saddened by his sudden departure.

Ron began his life born as the middle child to Mary and Victor Miller in Fort Collins, CO. He grew up living in a humble abode on Remington street, right next to the old Ft. Collins High School (now CSU's University Center for the Arts). He was an inquisitive child, who had a passion for learning, guided by an innate creative force. From early childhood he enjoyed constructing things. He often told the story of building a treehouse as a kid from pieces of wood he found around his neighborhood. Ron also had a huge collection of model airplanes. He loved assembling them as a hobby (his family always knew what to buy him on birthdays and holidays). These projects helped ignite and nurture his prolific flame of ingenuity, which he would carry for the rest of his life.

Ron was always curious about history. As he got older, he would often watch military movies with his father, Victor, and ask him questions about his time in the Army/Air Force. He collected and absorbed an abundance of WWII books and documentaries. After his Dad's passing, he held onto his WWII keepsakes and memorabilia, as well as discovering, contributing to, and following his father's WWII facebook group. Fascinated especially by the airplanes, he began constructing his own models, meticulously carving them out of wood equipped with working propellers. He reveled in the process of their creation, and the satisfaction of completion. Spending countless hours alone, he could be heard mumbling and laughing with himself.

During his attendance at Fort Collins High School, he gained a love for nutrition and bodybuilding, after acquiring the nickname "Scrawny Ronny" for being so small. This kindled his lifelong passion for staying in shape. After high school, he was employed in concrete work, molding him into a strong, tough, hardworking man.

After reaching his 30s and thinking he'd never marry, he stumbled across his future wife Tanya: a fun-loving companion and the part of his life he didn't know he was missing. She appreciated his knowledge, adored his wit, and encouraged his endless creative pursuits. At the time, Tanya was getting her master's degree in art at CSU, something which ignited and sustained his own interest in learning how to paint. They first met at Ron's brother, Jay's wedding, who was marrying Tanya's sister, Kim. Linked by their love of art and creativity, Ron had found someone that slipped into his life that fit easily and comfortably. They solidified their love for each other by eloping on May 7, 1990 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Post-marriage, the pair continued their adventure by buying their first fixer-upper in Reno, NV, where Ron first exhibited his extraordinary workmanship. They lived there for 10 years where they had two children, Ryan and Tess, who grew up with the constant background noise of saws and hammering. Eventually, Tanya persuaded him into moving back to northern Colorado to live closer to family, where they bought another fixer-upper in Laporte, CO.

At the time, he was still working in concrete. However, after witnessing the magical transformations Ron was capable of, his wife encouraged him to use his talents to remodel other people's houses. His brother Jay helped him find his first remodel job. He officially quit concrete and started his own one man construction business named REModel (REM are his initials). After completing his first job, word spread about his quality and fairness, and he never had any trouble getting new clients afterwards. In fact, the demand quite outmatched the supply, even after retirement (where he occasionally helped out established clients who had become good friends).

During his life as a handy-man, he rebuilt three fixer-upper homes, as well as adding significant value to so many of his other clients' homes in Colorado and Wyoming. He never stopped perfecting this trade. He could maintain, build and/or restore anything he put his mind to. He was both creative and driven and had a knack for being able to come up with solutions that others deemed impossible. His clients appreciated his perfectionism and love for the craft through every project he encountered. After working all day for clients, he would delve into projects at home. His entire house and creative works within it are a testimony of his passion and mastery.

Ron was an incredible artist, spending hours and hours producing many different types of art, including alabaster sculptures, wooden carvings, and paintings, to name a few. He loved to paint landscapes of mountains, forests, and valleys, as well as airplanes, his family's pets, and most recently, astrological phenomena. He rarely stopped to relax, except to enjoy a road trip, fishing, or dinner with friends and family.

Ron had a keen intellect and an astounding memory, randomly pulling up places and happenings from years ago, leading to many victories in trivia games.

He was grateful for what he had and needed nothing more. He loved his wife, never failing to tell her how fortunate he was to have her to share life's adventures. He enjoyed his friends and loved to practice his dry witty humor with them. He loved his children, showing it by building a clubhouse in the backyard - complete with lights, ladders, monkey bars, a tire swing, and firepole under it, as well as maintaining a large swimming pool every summer. He touched many lives with the precious time he gave and through the gifts he would bestow. He gave the best gifts; one-of-a-kind creations of love and thoughtfulness - now a part of him that will continue to live on through generations.

Throughout his retirement, apart from occasional work for close friends, he spent the last five years transforming and maintaining his final fixer-upper in Cheyenne, WY. His downtime was spent creating more artwork as well as dedicating time to battle squirrels, moths, and tumbleweeds. He often initiated dinner dates, dancing, drives, hikes, and road trips with his wife. As of late, he became very interested in astronomy and was given a high-end telescope by a family member, which he began studying and using immediately.

Now he is able to see all the stars and creation. The only solace in facing his loss in our lives is knowing that he is no longer suffering and has now found peace from his distress. He wasted no time making the most of every moment on this Earth.

Thank you Ron for everything you've done in this life. All the differences you made, the gifts you gave, the laughs shared, all that you've left behind to remember you by. Love and miss you….until we meet again.

Ron Miller is survived by:
Spouse: Tanya Miller (Cheyenne, WY)
Children: Ryan Miller (Cheyenne, WY)
Tess (Miller) Brown and Colton Brown (Windsor)
Siblings: Vicki (Miller) Sladek and Bill Sladek (Windsor)
Jay Miller and Kim Miller (Ft. Collins)
Mother-in-law: Sherri Gray (Ft. Collins)
Sister/Brother-in-law: Loni Gray and Ron Cramer (Ft. Collins)
Nephews: Bryce Miller (Fort Collins) and Austin Miller (Connecticut)

Ron Miller is predeceased by:
Parents: Victor Miller & Mary Miller


Please join us in his celebration of life Sunday, August 18th 3:00pm in the south auditorium at Timberline Church, 2908 S Timberline Rd, Ft Collins CO, 80525.
Please bring written memories and stories to share, to be read by yourself or someone else.