Donald Francis Miller Ii

Donald Francis Miller Jr., age 56, died suddenly on July 13, 2025 in Elbert, Colorado. He was born to Donald and Viola (DiSalle) Miller in Denver, Colorado on October 4, 1968. He grew up in Parker, Colorado and graduated with honors from Ponderosa High School. After high school, Donald attended college at New York University and the University of Colorado, Boulder where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

He loved sports and excelled at anything he put his mind to, whether it was football, baseball, or swimming. Although he loved the Denver Broncos, his childhood hero was Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Fran Tarkenton.

In high school, Donald spent summers as a life guard at the Parker Pool and taught swimming lessons to children who, in turn, adored him. It wasn’t unusual to see a small child in his wake as he straightened deck chairs and checked chlorine levels.

Donald was a gifted pianist, honing a great discipline in order to conquer challenging pieces, from Beethoven to Mozart. But he’d nearly blow the roof off the house each time he banged out “Bumble Boogie.” In addition to the piano, he played trumpet and was drum major of the high school marching band.

It was while in high school, he developed a passion for theater and took to the stage, giving several memorable performances that included Lennie in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and Stanley Jerome in the Neil Simon comedy, Brighton Beach Memoirs, an experience that informed his decision to study theater at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

Donald will be lovingly remembered for his booming laugh whenever he walked into a room, his playful sense of humor, and his big, bright smile. Rest in heavenly peace, dear brother. You will be greatly missed.

Donald was preceded in death by his beloved aunts, Helen DiSalle and Liberta (DiSalle) Hattel. He is survived by his loving parents, Donald and Viola, his siblings, Mark Miller, Mariann (Donald) Maestas, Michelle (Steve) Hoffman, niece, Paige Hoffman, and nephews Kevin Maestas, Andrew Maestas (Ashlynn), Drew Hoffman, and his ever-faithful dog, Lucy.

Services for Donald will be held on July, 31, 2025 at Our Lady of the Visitation, 34201 County Road 33 Kiowa, CO. Visitation will start at 10:00 a.m., followed by a rosary at 10:30 a.m., a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m., and burial at 12:00 p.m. Concluding the burial will be a reception in the church hall.