Douglas Wayne Miller

Douglas Wayne Miller, 68, Middletown, MD, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 11th, due to complications associated with diabetes. Doug fought hard the past seven years, enduring double leg amputations and being declared legally blind. His loving wife, Joyce, was by his side when he passed, as she has been throughout his journey. Doug was born in Frederick on March 18, 1957, and was the second child and only son born to the late Claude “Firpo” Miller, Jr. and Emma Lorraine Butts Miller.

Educated in the Middletown schools, Doug graduated from MHS in 1975 and maintained quite a few long-lasting friendships with classmates. It was through a group of these classmates that met monthly at The Main Cup that Doug and Joyce renewed their friendship, which ultimately led to their marriage on May 21, 2022.

Doug was a hard-worker his entire life. He started working at the young age of 9 on a neighbor’s farm, Mr. Charles Remsberg, Old Middletown Road. There he helped with the evening milking, assisted in the hay and straw fields with baling and learned to drive a tractor. Many evenings he returned home with a jug of fresh milk directly from the milk tank. Mr. Remsberg and his wife Elizabeth were wonderful role models and mentors to an impressionable young boy.

Doug always seemed to have money in his pocket, which his sisters soon realized if they needed a little loan to hold them over. He saved and bought his own bicycle, which was an army green, banana seat bike with the tall handlebars. He was so proud of that bike and rode it everywhere. Growing up in the country in the 1960’s was a safe time to explore country roads and be outside on his bike all day without fear, riding with his neighbor Philip Shafer. Doug loved just about all kinds of music, particularly rock and roll and would “drum” along on the arm of a chair, the steering wheel, or whatever surface was handy. He remembered lyrics and truly appreciated their meaning. Favorite artists included Bob Seger, Lady Gaga, and, when he was able, he was a groupie to local band Sticktime.

A third generation truck driver, it was naturally in his blood. He drove for companies High’s Dairy, Richard B. Rudy Transportation, Inc., Thomas’s English Mufffins, Toys R Us, Huffer’s/Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch, and Swift. He was a pretty good bowler and served on a team for many years. He was a lifetime member of Braddock Heights Volunteer Fire Department until his health declined and he could no longer serve. He continued his many friendships with his comrades there. He had a great knack for remembering baseball statistics and was a life-long Boston Red Sox fan. Doug was also a poet, which may seem surprising, but he always wrote special verses in the birthday cards he sent to his mom and sisters. He was also a very good cook and made awesome macaroni and cheese and sweet tea.

Doug was a member of New Beginnings Covenant Brethren Church. He had great respect for Pastor Karen Grossnickle and enjoyed their conversations. Under his sometimes gruff personality, he had a heart of gold, and loved the Lord.

Doug is survived by his wife, Joyce Guyton, his son, Paul Douglas Miller, Berlin MD, step-children Andrew Keller and wife Marla, Damascus, MD, Sara Ransom and husband Patrick, Keymar, MD, Aaron Keller, Keymar, MD, 6 step-grandchildren, Hannah and Grace Keller, Madison Keller, currently serving at Ft. Benning, GA, Bentley, Lynk and Kash Ransom, his mother-in-law Margaret Guyton, sisters Sandi Gouker and husband Kelly, Terri Kline, and Traci Lowrey and husband Steve, sister-in-law Sharon Toms and husband Greg, and brothers-in-law Dale Guyton and Eric Summers. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Claude “Jumbo” Sr. and Hilda M. Miller, maternal grandparents Charles and Finette R. Butts, father-in-law Robert Guyton, sister-in-law Diane Summers. brother-in-law Allen Kline and nephew Darryl Garner Gouker.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 14th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 3 pm at New Beginnings Covenant Brethren Church, 1811 Arnold Road, Jefferson MD, with Pastor Karen Grossnickle officiating. A light meal will follow in the social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to New Beginnings Covenant Brethren Church, PO Box 669, Middletown, MD 21769 or Middletown Fire Department, PO Box 322, Middletown, MD 21769.

The family would like to thank members of New Beginnings Covenant Brethren Church for their many prayers, calls and visits, along with other friends and family who would stop by for a visit. Also thanks to Middletown Fire Department and Hospice of Frederick County.