Keith Burns Miller

Keith Burns Miller

March 2, 1954 - November 9, 2024 

 On Saturday, November 9th Keith Burns Miller, 70, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones after a 4 year fight with cancer. A fight that he gave his all to in order to spend as many precious moments with his family as he could. That’s what it was all about for him, family. Whether our little family here on earth or our greater spiritual family, there was never a lack of love and a desire to serve others. 

Early in his life, Keith found his calling to service while on his Northern Indian mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Here his passion for the gospel and others blossomed, a flower that never lost its bloom. Shortly after arriving home from his mission, his Heavenly Father began to utilize his heart to continue serving his community. Throughout his life Keith filled many trusted positions in the LDS church, starting with being ordained a High Councilor at the ripe age of 23. The responsibility didn’t stop there as he’d go on to be a counselor in the bishopric, bishop, counselor in the stake presidency, stake technology specialist, stake assistant financial clerk, Elders quorum teacher, temple preparation instructor, and a YSA shepherding couple with his sweetheart, Lealeth. Through these callings, Keith was able to be many things, for many people. The biggest being support for others on their own personal journeys. 

Steadfast and sturdy, Keith was the type of person you could place anything on, and have the confidence that it would be upheld and cared for. A man of his word, if he told you he’d do it or he’d be there, he would. Always willing to give you a helping hand if you were in need. Whether that’s shoveling a driveway, helping others move, or wherever his set of hands could be of use. There was never expectation on his part of the favor being returned. That’s not what it was about. It was the service. 

Though he could be a man of few words, you never doubted if, and how much, he loved you. Stoic and sweet, it was abundantly clear through his actions that he loved you. A simple, private man, he’d tell you there’s no need to fuss much about him, and what we are all doing here, is a bit much. It was never about him, but rather what he could do for others. The accolades and attention were never what he was after. He received genuine joy when he was helping others. He had a contagious spirit and passed this trait on to his children. 

Through his example, he set a precedence for what it is to be a leader in the church and the home. You’ll not have to look too far to find those he impacted with his vast knowledge and passion for the gospel. A collection of wisdom he curated through the many callings and people he met along the way. 

No area of Keith’s life was free from the influence of his work ethic. Dedicated to his commitments, if there was something he saw that needed to be done he did it. Not stopping until a task was done. To express the lengths of how seriously he took his responsibilities, allow me to paint a picture of a man amidst a battle with cancer, post-surgery, working away on his computer from his hospital bed. 

Maybe the dedication in moments like that seemed extreme to his sweetheart, her wishing for him to simply rest and recover, but deep down she knew the man she married. She understood that his dedication was not limited to work, far from it. Every aspect of Keith’s life was a lesson in what it is to be committed. Whether that be in faith, family, or his sweetheart, whom he had an inspiring love for. There was never such a thing as putting too much thought and intention into their relationship. A relationship that has inspired others. 

On March 19th, 1976 Keith and Lealeth were married in the Salt Lake City temple after Lealeth waited 2 long years for her missionary to return. Something she longed for ever since she set her eyes on the “new guy” at church. Legend has it that Lealeth tracked down where Keith lived and decided to boldly knock on his door and introduce herself. Except it wasn’t quite an introduction, and it seems her heart got the best of her because upon his answering all she could get out was “Why are you so good-looking?”. 

There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for my mom's tongue-tied introduction. Because of that, I was given the best father a kid could ask for. Because of that, I was given a template of what love and dedication look like, what it feels like, and what is possible from it. First came love, then came marriage, then came baby in a baby carriage. Starting with the birth of their first baby Jamie, followed very closely by Kelle, then Brian, and lastly Steven. A family built on the foundation of Keith and Lealeth's forever young love. 

Keith enjoyed nothing more than to be with his family. Whether vacations, camping trips, or family parties. This was Keith’s “happiest place on earth”. At those family gatherings, if you paid close attention, It was not uncommon to catch him amidst all the chaos and excitement of a family party just sitting back, listening to all the conversations, and smiling. Simply enjoying what he and his sweetheart had built. There was a pride to these smiles, a contentment that filled him in those moments. 

We as a family will be missing him and that smile in all those precious memories we have together, but we were given a lifetimes worth to hold onto. And for that, we are filled with deep gratitude. We do not grieve what we lost, but celebrate what we were given. We encourage all of you to do the same and join us as we celebrate Keith. 

Keith is preceded in death by his son, Brian.

Keith is survived by his wife, Lealeth; daughters, Jamie Byington (Richard), and Kelle Lujan (Ryan); son, Steven; grandchildren, Emmi (Ryan Ord) & Oskar Cottam, Bella Boren, and Lily & Bella Lujan; sisters, Vicky & Laural; and brother, Bret. 

A viewing will held on November 18th, 2024 at Peel Funeral Home on 8525 W Magna Main St., Magna, UT from 6-8 pm.

Funeral services will be held on November 19th, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 8059 W. 2700 S., Magna, UT at 11 am. Preceded by a Viewing at 10 am. The interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City, UT.