Dr. C. E. "John" Miller, better known as "Dr. Johnny," of West Jefferson, NC, died at age 90 at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC on May 12, 2011. Dr. Miller was born in Winston-Salem, NC on January 7, 1921 to Mabel Nichols Miller and Thurman G. Miller. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Miller Wagoner of Jefferson, NC; and Katherine Miller, who died at birth; and one sister-in law, Cathleen Gragg Miller "Cathy" of Jefferson, NC. He is survived by his wife, Melba Gambill Miller; one daughter, Johnnie Gambill Miller of West Jefferson, NC; and two sons, Cameron Eugene Miller, Jr. "Chuck" and his fiance, Josie Stroud of Granite Falls, NC; and, Douglas Alan Miller and wife, Beth of Charleston, SC. He is survived as well by three grandchildren of Charleston, SC: Paul Duncan Miller, David Alan Miller, and Emily Grace Miller; and one step-grand daughter, Tracy Settle Koch of Clearwater, FL. He is survived by two brothers, T. G. Miller, Jr. and wife, Sally of Rollesville, NC; and Calvin H. Miller and his wife, Katrina of Jefferson, NC. He is also survived by three sisters, Louise Miller Hinshaw and husband, Al of Huntsville, AL; Anna Deane Miller Harless and husband, Bill of Quinton, VA; and Sherry Miller Francis and husband, Joe of King George, VA. Other surviving family members are brother in law, Hoke A. Wagoner, Sr. of Jefferson, NC; and several nieces and nephews. Dr. Miller graduated from Fleetwood High School, attended Wake Forest College for two years, and then was accepted into and graduated from Bowman-Gray School of Medicine (now known as Wake Forest University School of Medicine). During his first year in Medical School, he was elected president of his class. He did his Internship and Residency at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. With an emphasis on Family Practice, he served the people of Ashe County and surrounding areas for 53 years. During the early years of his practice, due to the shortage of physicians in the area, he assisted Dr. Dean C. Jones, Sr. with many surgeries and helped cover the emergency room. For most of his practice in addition to his long office hours, he did hospital rounds once or twice per day (as needed); worked on rotation with other physicians in the emergency room; delivered many of the babies born in Ashe County; took many middle-of-the-night phone calls from nurses at the Hospital; had a small one room office attached to his home for after hours emergencies, and made numerous house calls. Due to his busy work load, on rare occasions he enjoyed the hobbies of golf; painting (he especially enjoyed doing portraits); photography (using manual cameras and developing and printing his own photographs); snow skiing; and, rambling over the hills of farms and rough roads of small mountains in a jeep, just for the adventure, the enjoyment of nature, and time to spend with his children and other family members. He served in the Navy (attached to the Marines) and was first stationed at Quantico, VA. During active duty, he was sent to the Mediterranean, Japan, Hawaii, and Bremerton, WA. He exited the Navy as a Lt. Commander. However, his years of Naval Service were interrupted and extended due to the shortage of physicians in the county at the time. Approximately two and one-half years after establishing his medical practice in Ashe County, he was given a ten-day notice to close his office and report to active Naval Duty. Having to interrupt his medical practice put such a strain on the remaining physicians, as the needs for his services here were so great, a local congressman intervened on behalf of the people of Ashe County, having him "Declared Essential on the Home Front," which resulted in him being temporarily released from the Navy to serve the sick in this area. Once several other doctors were able to establish practices here, he was ordered back into active Naval Service. He loved his medical practice, particularly the joy usually accompanying the delivery of babies, and the opportunity to make house calls. He believed that Ashe County was the best place one could live. He often commented on his love of the people of this area and culture, and the natural beauty of the area. The values he often expressed in word and in action included: that "hope is essential"; that "life is precious"; that "generosity of spirit is the foundation of long-lasting, successful, and loving relationships"; that "all people are of equal value and each should be treated with equal dignity and respect"; that "if one finds it difficult to like someone, they should resolve to love them and the liking will follow"; and, that "when it comes down to it, 'love is everything'!" His was a life particularly dedicated to those most in need. A Memorial Service was held to honor his life, talents, contributions, and dedicated service to his fellow beings on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Bethany United Methodist Church, in Baldwin Community, West Jefferson, NC.