Christopher Harley Miller

Christopher Harley Miller Saturday, October 26, 1968 – Sunday, September 7, 2025

On the morning of Sunday, September 7, 2025, Christopher Harley Miller passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife Julie, his three boys, and family. Chris was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Chris was born October 26, 1968, to Elizabeth and James Miller in Fort Myers, Florida, although he spent most of his life in Montrose, Colorado. In 1987, he met his best friend and future wife, Julie, at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. They married in 1991, and shortly after moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Here, they were blessed with their firstborn, Jacob (Jake) and two and a half years later, Jared. Chris, Julie, and their boys moved to Montrose where they moved into their forever home, and three years later welcomed one more son, Gabriel.

Chris wore many hats, had many interests, and pursued many careers before accepting a position at Platte River Valley in 2012 in the Information Technology Department, where he worked for thirteen years. Before then, he owned and operated a sod farm with his lifelong friend, Wes Browning; he built log homes with Frontier Log Homes; he installed windows with Telluride Window and Door, and even had a brief stint working at the Home Depot.

Another hat Chris often wore was Coach, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. He coached baseball for all three of his boys. When he wasn’t coaching, it was a guarantee he would be in the stands as a front-row coach. He loved watching his boys play sports and took so much pride in their successes.

When Chris wasn’t working or at a game, he was tending to the farm, hunting, fishing, grilling, bartending at his self-built patio bar, or riding his tractor – he loved his tractor.

Chris battled with illness for decades, but he never let it affect his drive, passion for living life, love for his family, or his faith in God. Chris was a fighter and the toughest son of a gun out there – he was, in every sense, Superman. In the fall of 2024, after receiving his final diagnosis, he jumped on a horse and went hunting with his friend, Paul Woerner, where he got a massive and beautiful 6-point elk.

Chris lived his life with integrity, upstanding character, and an infectious sense of humor. Many knew him as a steward and servant of the Lord, a role model and remarkable example of a father, son, husband, community member, selfless neighbor, patient listener, and a faithful friend. He constantly sought opportunities to share and show the love of Jesus to anyone around. He always put the Lord at the center of his life and never let his faith waver no matter what challenges he faced. Chris truly always lived his life in honor and service to Him.

Chris is preceded in death by his father James Miller (Ish) and his father-in-law Jerry Downie (Papa). He is survived by his wife Julie Miller, his sister Rebecca Cooper, his mother Elizabeth Miller (Grammars), his three boys Jake, Jared and Gabe, his daughters-in-law Chandler Smith Miller and Kaela Miller, his mother-in-law Lori Downie (Nana), his cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends near and far.

A final note (because Chris would have hated his obituary ending with “survived by”) –

Christopher’s name means “bearer of Christ.” Isn’t that the perfect definition of who he was? Chris was love. He lived his life in service of his family, his community, and Him. He loved his family, his town, his God, and he loved baseball. We know he’s here, beaming at his community, family and loved ones. We feel him here as we mourn him and as we cry. And we also know in our hearts that if he were here, he’d be reminding us – “Hey! There’s no crying in baseball!"

• "Please join us to celebrate a husband, father, friend, man of God, and our superhero at 11:00am on Friday September 12 at Grace Community Church. There will be a reception to follow with light refreshments and an opportunity to laugh, cry, and share stories. 
• Chris was a huge Montrose High School fan where he championed all three of his boys as they competed. To honor him, please feel free to incorporate red in whatever you choose to wear to the celebration."