Dale C. Miller

“He Had A Good Life.” - Helen Miller

Dale Clayton Miller was born in 1937, in Hugo, Colorado to Albert Clayton Miller and Marian Ruth Miller. He had two brothers, Howard E. Miller and Roy L. Miller, who both preceded him in death. As a child, Dale was known for his exceptional math skills and enjoyed athletics as a star football and track athlete. He was raised in the Lutheran faith and attended the Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Hugo, Colorado. He worked in the family general store in many roles until he left home to attend college.

Dale graduated from Hugo High School in 1955 and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1960. While at the University of Colorado, he courted Helen Frances Garrabrant, also from Hugo, Colorado and attending the University of Colorado. They married in the summer of 1959 in Hugo, Colorado. In 1960 they moved to Warren, Michigan where Dale began his 40-year career with General Motors and they began raising their family consisting of Mary R. Miller (Petersen), John P. Miller, and Albert G. Miller. Dale’s career took the family from Michigan to Mexico City, Mexico, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, back to Mexico City, and then back to Michigan, accumulating thirteen years overseas before he retired from General Motors in 2000.

After retiring, Dale and Helen returned to Colorado, where Dale oversaw the construction of their dream retirement home in Parker, Colorado. They lived there, enjoying their vast views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range and visits from their family and friends. In 2018, Dale and Helen moved to Wind Crest Senior Living Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where they made many friends and enjoyed the activities. In 2024, Dale’s declining health brought him to the loving arms of the Reflections’ Staff at MorningStar Senior Living at Holly Park. Dale passed away peacefully in early April, 2025.

Dale was a respected engineer spending his career with General Motors designing engines like the 454, testing engines and cars in the lab and field, to include extreme weather testing, extensive overseas business trips, and process engineering. Additionally, Dale enjoyed traveling the world, visiting pyramids in Mexico and wild game parks in South Africa. His favorite hobbies were being a private pilot with his own airplane and photography.

Dale is survived by his wife, Helen F. Miller, daughter Mary R. Petersen, son John P. Miller and wife Elizabeth B. Miller, son Albert G. Miller and wife Kimberly A. Miller, grandchildren Rebecca Petersen, Ian Petersen, Kyle Petersen, Austin Miller, and Lindsay Miller.

There will be a reception to follow the Graveside Service at the Hugo Depot.