Steven Patrick Miller was born August 31, 1984, in Deer Park, California. His first years were spent in Angwin, California. Steven’s family lived near his Grandma and Grandpa Klebe, which gave him the opportunity to spend time fishing, and driving his motorized jeep on their property.
Steven and his family moved to Salem, Oregon, in October, 1987, when Steven was three years old. Steven developed a knack for building and creating, both with his legos and also with random items he found around the house. Steven and his younger brother, J.D., especially enjoyed spending time with their dad at his shop where he did auto body work. Steven would use that time to create objects from scraps of metal he found in and around the shop. Steven showed an unusual ability to make intricate projects, such as cars and spaceships, using legos. He kept many of these projects into his adult years. Steven’s love for cars was developed early through his legos and his collection of Hot Wheels. As he grew older, Steven helped his dad with the vehicles his dad was restoring. When he got his own car, Steven developed additional skills to make modifications that would increase its speed and performance.
Steven’s Grandma and Grandpa Klebe moved to Oregon from California in 1996, which gave Steven the opportunity to spend time with them. Steven traveled extensively with his grandparents, visiting Egypt, Australia, Honduras, and Venezuela, among other places. Many of these trips were mission-oriented and afforded Steven the opportunity to help build homes and churches. Steven also was able to visit with his Grandma and Grandpa Miller in California on several occasions and these trips were enjoyed equally by both Steven and his grandparents.
Steven attended school in Salem and finished 10th grade at Livingston Adventist Academy. Because Livingston was a junior academy, Steven moved in with his Grandma and Grandpa Klebe, who then lived on the Oregon coast, to finish the final two years of academy in Lincoln City through Portland Adventist Academy. Steven graduated in 2002 having made many good friends during high school.
During Steven’s life, he enjoyed many different interests and activities. Steven was involved in Pathfinders from 1994 to 1999. His mom, Lori, was involved with Steven in Pathfinders and attended many functions with him as a counselor. Camping was a favorite part of Steven’s Pathfinder experience and something that he continued to do into adulthood.
Steven and his mom spent many happy hours in the kitchen together cooking and baking. Steven showed great interest in cooking and was known to make “a mean stir-fry”.
Steven loved sports and was a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan. He collected baseball and football cards and enjoyed playing baseball, football, and basketball. One happy memory for both Steven and his Grandma and Grandpa Miller was the time they took him to a Dodger game. He also loved classic Coke and would make frequent requests of family and friends for a two-liter if they happened to be out at the store.
Steven was in the process of returning to college and had plans to further develop his skills with auto body and repair. He had plans to pursue a business career in the automotive field.
Steven made friends easily and excelled in just about anything he put his mind to. He had unlimited potential that could have taken him anywhere in life. We have so many unanswered questions why something like this would happen. Steven had so much ahead of him and so much to offer. We each have our own favorite memories of Steven that we will cherish forever. Steven was only with us for 21 short years but his loss will be felt for a lifetime.
