Leonard Miller

Leonard R Miller passed away, in the presence of his two sons, on Tuesday, July 28th. His passing ended a three-year battle with dementia.

Len, as he was called by family and friends, was born on February 23 rd , 1946, in Mount Clemens Michigan to his parents Orville and Marion Miller. He grew up with them and his two younger brothers, Larry and Doug, on their family farm in Bellaire, Michigan. He attended Bellaire High School and graduated as Valedictorian in 1964. Len was a National Merit Finalist and attended Michigan State University on scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Computer Science degree.

There is a phrase, “Jack of trades, master of none”, but Len mastered many things. After graduating from college, he got a job working for Michigan Bell Telephone Company in the greater Detroit area where he worked with teams to implement computer systems that streamlined several operations. While there, he met and married Brenda Kurtz (and David) in 1979. At that time, Len had a home in Union Lake, Michigan, but had always wanted to move back north. So, in 1981, both Len and Brenda left their jobs and moved to Elk Rapids. The house purchased on Traverse St required significant renovation, which Len Did himself before the family moved in. After the house was finished, Len worked for a short time selling real estate and did several miscellaneous jobs. It wasn’t long before former coworkers from the Bell Telephone company contacted Len to do consulting work as the mechanization of the communications system required the skill sets he possessed. Len started his own computer software developing company named Miller Software Systems. Len wrote computer software programs to implement new systems, and support the marketing departments of Michigan Bell, AT&T and Ameritech. He remained under contract for 17 years.

Len created one of the first remote working positions, as he insisted on working from home in Elk Rapids, even though the computers he accessed were in Southfield, Chicago and other cities. The family grew during this time and son Jeffrey Miller was born in 1983. Ready to step away from the consulting business, Len worked with his good friend Steve Maki to develop Oakland Communications which designed and installed cell phone towers in many areas of the state.

Len was a worker. When he wasn’t doing jobs related to his profession, instead of taking time off and relaxing, he did other jobs. He was an avid ham radio operator, call sign K8GM. He set up ham radio towers for himself and his friends. He built Hamm radios and amplifiers, fixed CB radios and participated in ham radio contests. Len was a builder – he rebuilt his house and garages, assisted with additions and remodeling projects for friends. He built decks. He ran his own electricity. He did his own plumbing. He built a house for a friend. He built a garage for David. He helped build a food truck for Jeff. If something broke, Len fixed it.

Len is survived by his sons and their spouses – David and Michelle Kurtz of Kewadin, Jeffrey and Joanna Miller of Williamsburg. He is also survived by his brothers Larry (Mary) Miller of Bellaire and Doug Miller of Bellaire. His spouse, Brenda Miller of Elk Rapids also survives him. He leaves his grandchildren Calvin Kurtz and Natalie Kurtz of Elk Rapids and nephews Corey Miller (Zolziah) of Bellaire and Steve Miller (Madison) of Toledo. Len was predeceased by his parents, Orville L Miller and Marion (Theison) Miller.

A gathering will be planned at a future time.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Please sign his online guestbook below.