James (Smoke) Miller

James (Smoke) Eugene Miller was born April 8, 1946, the son of James H. & Frances Launderville Miller. He passed away Monday, December 23, 2013, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 67.
James was born in Carroll, Iowa. He received his education in the Ar-We-Va Community Schools graduating with the class of 1964. After completing his education, Smoke worked for a construction company building Farmland in Denison and also helped build IBP in Dakota City, Nebraska. On September 11, 1965, Smoke was united in marriage to Lavaun Knutson at St. Williams Catholic Church in Niobrara, Nebraska. In 1969, the couple moved back to Vail, and Smoke went to work at Farmland in Denison until retiring in June 2006.
Smoke was a very social person who enjoyed the time spent with his family and friends. He was a family man at heart and a wonderful grandfather. He enjoyed watching all five of his grandchildren’s activities especially his granddaughters’ cross country meets. Smoke loved to cruise the countryside, visit with friends, and just sit on his porch, waving to those who passed by. He liked to spend time outside fishing, planting and tending to his garden, and keeping the birds and squirrels well fed. Smoke had a great sense of humor and knew how to say the just the right thing to make you laugh. He loved to watch football, especially Notre Dame. When he watched television, Smoke preferred older TV shows, especially westerns and “The Christmas Story.” Smoke was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, Iowa.
Smoke was preceded in death by his parents and one son, James Francis in 1987. Survivors include: his wife Lavaun of Vail; two children: Jeffrey Carl Miller and his wife, Candice of Vail; and Jennifer Dawn Backhaus and her husband, Bill of Griswold, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jessica, Larissa, and Amanda Backhaus; and Laine and Brady Miller; five sisters: Regina Caddell and her husband, Bob of Vail; Donna Miller of Carroll; Becki Miller and Ken Schaefer of Carroll; Lori Lensch and her husband, Hans of Dubuque, Iowa; and Nancy Nobiling of Monmouth, Illinois; other relatives and friends.