Carl M. Miller

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Carl M. Miller, Sr., of Salinas, CA early Thursday morning, December 31, 2015 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. Carl, age 86, was born on October 2, 1929, in Fort Worth, Texas. Soon after the family relocated to their farm in Phoenix, AZ. where he spent his formative years. Carl "exaggerated his age a bit" and joined the US Army at the age of 16 towards the end of WWII. He was sent to Japan as part of the occupying US Army. With his early experience of working in a bakery, he was assigned to food services in the Quartermaster Corps. Thus began his 65 year career in hospitality. Carl served 21 years in the Army managing Enlisted, NCO and Officers' Clubs in Japan, Germany, Korea and numerous US bases. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1967. In 1953 he married Frances M. Buckman in Maryland, and together they had 4 children. Following his retirement from the Army, Carl and his family returned to the Monterey Peninsula where he had twice been stationed at Fort Ord. Carl returned to manage the Fort Ord Officer's Club this time as a civilian. He later opened and closed several restaurants with his friend Leo Copper. In 1972 Carl worked for Nick Lombardo at Rancho Cañada in Carmel as his Food and Beverage Director; overseeing the food operations there and in the company's other locations at Laguna Seca and Pajaro Golf Courses and for a while at Casa Munras Hotel in Monterey. Carl was renowned for his ability to organize events large or small that were very successful. Carl retired from Rancho Cañada in 1997 after 25 years. Unable to slow down, he opened Catering Magik with Jehanne Loe, in Marina from 1997 to 2011. Carl was a longtime member of the Monterey Paisano Club and had a wide circle of friends. He will be greatly missed. Carl is survived by his loving wife Frances of 62 years, his children Carl Jr. (Diana) of Monterey, Diane of Salinas, Susan Creswell (Greg) of Ramona, CA., Paul (Gina) of Gonzales, CA., and sisters Kathrine Sutter (Henry) and Shirley Arnold (Carl) and brother Bill Miller (Mary) all of Arizona. Carl has 6 grandchildren (Alexander, Marc, Elizabeth, Megan, Tyler and Nathan) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Willie Kathrine Miller, father Maynard Miller and sisters Doris Pardue and Beverly Fowler. The family wanted to thank the Villa Sierra Memory Care Unit and the doctors and nurses of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital for their excellent care of Carl. A memorial service will be held at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey on Friday January 22 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Carl's name to either the Alzheimer's Association of Monterey County or the Wounded Warrior Project.