Dorman D. Miller suffered a massive stroke on April 14 at his home in Crane, was transported by AirLife to Bend, but passed away the following morning, April 15.

Dorman was born Sept. 20, 1945, to James F. “Francis” Miller and Rosetta (Ott) Miller, of Drewsey, a few minutes after his fraternal twin brother, Norman, was born.

Dorman grew up on the Miller family ranch in the Pine Creek area of northern Harney County, learning at a very early age to play a guitar, as did his twin brother. Through the next 70 years, Dorman mastered every style of guitar and banjo, and even built some of his own banjos. He could play a mean fiddle and harmonica, too. The twins and cousin, Ray Dunten, started a country music band while they were still in high school – known around the community as “The Miller Twins” – and then, as adults, played under the title “The Daybreakers”, with long-time friend Steve Marker on drums, and later “Wild Bill” Freeman, for just about every country dance, wedding and funeral, as well as in local bars, school gymnasiums and grange halls.

Dorman graduated from Crane High School in 1963, and married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Ann Davies, on Aug. 25, 1965. They first lived in Ontario, attending Treasure Valley Community College, and then went home to work on the Miller family ranch for many years, raising children, James, Traci, and Amy. Dorman and his brother, Norman, trapped coyotes every winter and continued playing for events throughout the county. Dorman and Cathy later worked for Dryer Ranches, both at Pine Creek and in Galt, Calif., and then for Norman Ranches near Princeton.

Dorman joined the National Guard, as did his twin, Norman, along with lifelong friend, Lorin Wallace. Dorman was a talented mechanic (probably because he and Norman each bought Ford Edsels) and an accomplished carpenter. He could fix or create just about anything, and never complained about any of it. He concentrated hard and whistled the whole time. He worked all week on the ranch and then played music typically on a Saturday night, did training at the Armory on Sundays, and worked daily alongside his wife, Cathy Ann, building their family and laboring toward their dreams. They worked as a team, not only at home and at work, but in providing help to family and friends, as their country upbringing had taught them.

After the Miller family ranch sold years later, Dorman and Cathy moved to Crane, working at Crane schools as custodians, and seeing their children all graduate from Crane High School. They bought land within the townsite and established a well-cared-for home and acreage, developing garden space and corrals, and forever planting trees. Dorman taught music lessons, and “jammed” at the drop of a hat with anyone who could carry a tune. They even set up a separate building for those infamous jam sessions so that Cathy Ann only had to hear the drums and “plunking” at a distance. He tried retiring from music several times, but was still sharing his talents in his friend Howie Roozeboom’s band earlier this year.

Dorman was quiet and pleasant most hours of the day, but could really let a laugh overtake him when he heard something that tickled him. He and Cathy Ann joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1977, and when the new church was later built in Crane, it was right next door to their home. Dorman took joy in many things: playing pinochle with his brothers and nephews, playing music with anyone and everyone, singing publicly with his daughter, Traci, working on projects with his daughter, Amy, and teaching his grandchildren about music and card games. He also loved the ocean as much as he loved his cabin in the woods, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and adventuring all over Harney County. Dorman never met an antique store or guitar store that he didn’t like.

Dorman and Cathy Ann had built and repaired many things through the years, and that’s what they were doing the day he suffered the stroke. He was on the roof of a shed, starting to nail down a piece of tin, and she was there, holding the ladder, when he came down under his own power. Dorman had experienced a milder stroke a couple of years ago, and really bounced back from that one, but recovery was just not meant to be this time, and his wife and daughters were with him in Bend when he finally gave up the fight.

Dorman is survived by his wife, Cathy Ann; daughters, Traci (John) Robertson and Amy Miller Smith, all of Crane; son, James Miller; six grandchildren, Frank (Ariana) Robertson, Emma (Garrett) Carniglia, Halle Robertson, Zachary Smith, Zoe Smith, and Natalie Smith); brother, Norman (DeeAnn) Miller of Pine Creek; brother, Jerry Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a large host of friends and music fans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Rosetta; and an infant brother.

The family has requested that donations in the memory of Dorman D. Miller be made to Harney County Historical Society, 18 W. “D” Street, Burns OR 97720.