John Coleman "Turtle" Miller's Obituary
John Coleman "Turtle" Miller, age 43, of Maui, Hawaii, passed away unexpectedly.
Born on March 24, 1982, in St. Paul, Minnesota, John was the beloved son of Linda and the late LeRoy Miller. He was raised in Monticello, where he graduated as a proud Monticello Magic Alumni.
Following graduation, John bravely dedicated nearly eleven years to serving his country in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Engineer and Rescue Diver. After his honorable service, he devoted his life to making a profound difference in the world. Leveraging his background in renewable energy, John worked extensively across the Pacific, helping developing nations achieve independence from fossil fuels. His life's goal was to provide better resources to improve essential services and the overall quality of life for the people he served. He lived by his strong belief that we should always put people and our planet before profit.
John was born with an innate sense of adventure and was happiest when he was in or on the water. From swimming and wakeboarding on the lakes of Minnesota to surfing and diving in the ocean, the water was his true element. Growing up, he loved hunting with his dad and spending time at the family cabin on the lake. A simple man at heart, he couldn't get enough of Chinese food or pizza.
John is preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Miller. He is survived by his loving mother, Linda; his wife, Chelsea; and their cherished children, Kailani, Riley and Atom Miller and Rosie Tramble, granddaughter Hōkūleʻa and his sister Kim (Scott) Selken. He will also be deeply missed by many extended family members and friends whose lives he profoundly impacted. His legacy of service, environmental stewardship, and adventure will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
There will be a Celebration of Life to be held in Minnesota at a later date & time; we will update here once all information has been finalized by the family.
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