Lonnie Jay Miller

Lonnie Jay Miller passed away peacefully on March 12th at Methodist Hospital of Sacramento. We mourn our loss but rejoice that he is free from the disabilities of his mind and body. He was born at Mercy San Juan hospital in Sacramento, CA on January 3, 1985. He didn’t fit nicely into any box to check on forms – to say he lived outside the box is putting it mildly. His charismatic, infectious spirit lit up the world. He grew up in Carmichael, CA with his sister, mom, and dad. He enjoyed riding his tricycle around the neighborhood, helping in the yard, swimming, and being read to. He collected plastic gift cards, rewards cards, insurance cards, and the like with spirited obsession. He loved socializing with friends and family and Christmas music year-round. Lonnie also loved food and always wanted to know what was coming to the table-given a choice it would be a bacon cheeseburger, no matter the time of day or venue. He graduated from the Special Education program at Sacramento State, and we like to brag that he was the first of his generation in our family to graduate college. He lived in several excellent board and care homes and always looked forward to attending their day programs and being out in the community. He defied death twice before finally giving in. Lonnie is a casualty of Covid although he didn’t die from it; having the structure of his life dissolve and being isolated from the rock-solid support of his family and friends left him frail and heartsick. God bless his freedom and God bless our grief. He is survived by his mother Lynn McClain, father Lawrence Miller, sister Chelsea Miller, niece Adeline Temple, four aunts and their spouses, an uncle, and seven cousins along with their spouses and families.  A Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Chapel, 6509 Fruitridge Blvd. in Sacramento on April 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. The chapel is available to us for visiting from 1-2 p.m., so you are welcome to come any time after 1 p.m. Directly following the Mass we will be celebrating his life at the Mackensen’s, 1070 Sagamore Way, Sacramento 95822. All are invited.