Gerald “Jerry” Orvil Miller

Gerald Orvil Miller (“Jerry”), true to his nature, quietly exited this life on December 20, 2024 in Gilbert, Arizona. Although his passing was modest, he was worthy of a glorious welcome on the other side: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Jerry was born on June 18, 1943 in Mesa, Arizona, to Henry & Ida Miller. He grew up in San Diego, California, where his two older brothers, Henry Jr. & Robert, provided him with numerous alarming adventures on land, in air, and on sea. After graduating from San Diego High School in 1961, Jerry attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

From 1963-65, he served as a missionary in the Chile Santiago Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In July of 1967, he married Elizabeth (“Liz”) Hatch in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Jerry graduated from the University of Nebraska Dental School in 1973. He began his dental career in Cortez, Colorado.

In 1980, Jerry, Liz, and their four children moved to Monticello, Utah, to continue his dental practice there. Monticello was a wonderful place to raise a family and to make lifelong friends. Jerry was the town’s dentist for over 30 years, where he strived to be a trusted and respected member of his community and church. Jerry and Liz lived in Monticello until his retirement in 2012. They served as missionaries in the Mexico City Temple from 2012-2013. Jerry and Liz then settled in Gilbert, Arizona. After Liz’s passing in August 2016, he married Karen Whipple in November of 2017.

Jerry lived his life as a testament to his unwavering faith in God, our loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. This enduring faith is the legacy he most hoped to leave for his loved ones.

Jerry is survived by: his wife, Karen; his children Brandt (Julie) Miller, Candacy (Christian) Syphus, Logan (Berklee) Miller, and Kiffany (Josue) Javier; 16 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and further survived by other family and friends, including his stepchildren Quint, Bret, Jase, Marni, Chad, and their spouses. Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth, his parents, and his brothers.

Jerry’s funeral services occur on Saturday the 18th of January, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the LDS Chapel at 2958 S. Recker Rd., Gilbert, AZ.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Ohana Adult Care Home and Azorna Hospice for providing such dedicated and loving care to Jerry.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.