Joe Don Miller of Springfield, Missouri was born on December 3, 1952 and went to be with His Lord on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the age of 69, due to complications from Covid-19.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Don Miller of Springfield, MO, and his mother, Abigail Miller of Springfield, MO and is survived by his wife, Laurie (Little) Miller of Springfield, MO, his children Lori Miller of Jefferson City, MO, Amie Casey and husband John of Republic, MO, John Miller and wife Karen of Willow Springs, MO, Roman Aldaiz and wife Madison of Edmond, OK, Kalie Batten and husband Tanner of Ozark, MO, Macey Aldaiz of Charleston, SC, Corbin Aldaiz of Springfield, MO, and Bella Miller of Springfield, MO, sister Teresa and husband Gene of Jefferson City, MO, sister Cindy and husband Blaine of Nixa, MO.  He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren, Kendra, Desiree, Alexis, John, Michael, Andrew, Eian, Keegan, Tatianna, Oksana, Katarina, Walker, and Elijah, (with one on the way), 12 great-grandchildren, ( with one on the way), aunts, uncles, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

Joe was born in Lebanon, MO, and moved to Springfield as a young child.  He attended High Street Baptist Church, where he became a Christian at an early age.  He graduated from Parkview High School in 1970.  Joe was married and this marriage produced three children, Lori, Amie, and John.  He proudly served in the Navy from 1972-1978.  Joe worked at United Parcel Service, where he drove a truck for thirty-six years and eventually retired.  In 2008, Joe married the love of his life  Laurie, inherited four more children, Roman, Kalie, Macey, and Corbin.  He received the surprise of his life, when at age 56, he became a father to Bella.  Family has always been very important to Joe and he could not have been more proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, blood related or not.  After retiring from UPS, Joe began “living the dream” by teaching Bible classes at Gloria Deo Academy.  He reenrolled in college a couple of years ago to pursue a Theology degree.

During the Navy, Joe discovered how to have a passionate relationship with Jesus.  He served in many capacities in several churches before planting himself permanently at Hope Church twenty-six years ago.  During his life, he served as a pastor, a youth director, a Sunday School teacher, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a nursery worker and a bus driver.  But his service didn’t stop when he left the church building.  He had a passion to show the love of Jesus everywhere he went, taking every opportunity to speak about Jesus whether sitting around a Cross Trail Outfitter’s campfire with youth hunters, serving on the board of Gospel for Haiti, or praying at poker games.   He would often use props such as glowsticks, gold dollars and a flame-throwing Bible.  Mission trips to Nicaragua and Haiti were highlights of his life.

Joe can be described as highly patriotic, loyal, full of faith, an overcomer, a helper, a giver, a jokester, an awesome storyteller, and much like Jesus.  He had a rough childhood and therefore, he wanted to make every child he met feel like they were worth something, loved by someone, and listened to, just in case they had difficulties at home. The notes and letters that came home from students at school oftentimes made him cry.  If he could have read the Facebook posts, emails, and messages I have received since his passing, he would have been shocked and humbled and given all glory to God!  If Joe could have spoken to each one of you before he entered heaven, he would have commissioned you to go after God and don’t you ever stop. Know that you are so, so loved!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s memory to Gospel for the Nations (gospelforthenations.org) 3031 Smyrna Road Ozark MO  65721 or Cross Trail Outfitters (teamctomo.wildapricot.org/donate) 7901 W FR 100 Willard MO  65781