Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Leland “Lee” M. Miller, 91, of Lagrange, GA and formerly of Pensacola, FL died on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at the Florence Hand Home in Lagrange.

He was born April 23, 1931 in Wooster to Emmett D. and Helen “Ruth” Livingston Miller.  On April 21, 1955, he married Judith G. Moseley.  They were married for over 59 years before Judith passed away.

Lee served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and then as a Federal Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for thirty years.

Lee lived in Japan and the Philippines through his work with NCIS. He traveled extensively with his wife and two daughters while overseas. He experienced many adventures from climbing to the top of Mt. Fuji to landing on an aircraft carrier at sea. He also had the honor of participating in the protection of the Pope on one occasion and President Gerald Ford on another.

Lee enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was particularly proud of his children (both lawyers) and his grandchildren (two lawyers and a physician). He loved hearing about the accomplishments of his grandchildren.

Lee was known for his sense of humor and his friendly demeanor. He never met a stranger. At Vernon Woods Retirement Community, Lee never missed a game of Farkle with his friends.

Beginning in 1973, Lee and his wife, Judy, found constant companionship in their five Old English Sheepdogs. Lee was regularly seen walking his beloved dogs around the neighborhood. The last sheepdog, Duffy, lived the longest and predeceased Lee by just two years.

He is survived by his daughters Melodie L. Belcher (husband William (Bill)); Melissa Lee Himes; grandchildren Courtney E. Johnston (Jonathan); Mark A. Belcher (Susan); Alexandra A. Himes; great-grandchildren Jane Johnston; Madeline Belcher; Banks Belcher and a sister-in-law Mary Beth Miller and her family.

Along with his wife, Lee was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles E. Miller.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster with Pastor John Finn officiating.  Interment will follow in Wooster Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

6 Comments

  1. Thank you for your service . Condolences to the family.

    Reply
  2. Dear Mel, Mimi, and entire family,
    We are so sorry for the loss of your Father. He was such a nice man & it was a pleasure to see him after he moved to LaGrange. I know he will be greatly missed at Vernon Woods. Please know you all are in our thoughts & prayers.
    Love,
    Diane & Bob

    Reply
  3. Dear Melissa and Melodie,

    My sincere condolences on the passing of your father. I have thought of him often when passing by the former NCIS building on NAS Pensacola. In the service of this country, his dedication as father, grandfather and great grandfather, he will surely be remembered as a true American hero.

    God Bless you all,

    Stan Smith

    Reply
  4. Dear Mimi and the family,

    We are so sorry for the loss of your Father. We can only imagine the influence he had on family and friends through knowing you as a co-worker and boss. The obituary spells out a life well lived and a family to be proud of. We know he will be missed greatly and your staff at the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office sends its condolences.

    God be with you all.

    Reply
  5. Mimi,
    I am so amazed after reading his obituary. What an extraordinary and exciting life he has had! He certainly didn’t waste what God gave him. I’m sure that you are so proud to be his daughter. I know firsthand that you can never replace that loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts. I pray that Jesus places his arms around your whole family and gives you the love, strength and comfort that you need in this time of sadness and loss.
    Jody

    Reply
  6. The photo of Lee in the 01/03/2023 Pensacola News Journal brought back many fond memories of his life with the Naval Investigative Service(NIS) while assigned to the Little Creek Naval Base office, Norfolk, VA. as Special Agent in Charge (SAC), 1983 -1986. Lee was unaccompanied and lived in my Virginia Beach residence as a friend while I spent 14 months at NISHQ, Washington, D. C. before my return and retirement, Sept, ’85.

    Lee was an outstanding S/A at every level of his three decades of service. He effectively supported the USN & USMC by performing superior investigative services and counter-intelligence work worldwide. Conscientious and knowledgeable, Lee’s ability to train and guide subordinates toward professional competence was legendary. A loyal and firm manager, Lee’s judgment was never questioned. Concomitantly, a ready smile and unequaled sense of humor put everyone at ease in his presence. Ironically, I have two grandchildren who were also born on his birthday, April 23rd, so it was easy for me to also remember greeting him also, annually.

    I’ll miss our occasional phone visits, as will his many NIS friends who admired his high moral character. May he rest in peace.

    Reply

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