Joe Miller passed away peacefully at age 90, on April 17, 2025, at his ranch in Frenchglen surrounded by family. He was born on Nov. 26, 1934, in the Miller House in Frenchglen to parents, Taft and Nellie Miller. He was the second youngest of seven children. 

Joe and his younger brother were initially raised on the Miller Homestead where their mother would tie their overalls to the clothes line so the boys would not wander off and get bit by a rattlesnake. When Joe was old enough to attend elementary school at Frenchglen, he and his brother would board at the P Ranch during the school year as it was too far to bring them to school every day. The teacher, who also boarded at the P Ranch, had a car and would offer the boys a ride to school daily but they would always refuse, preferring to walk the few miles to school.

Joe’s father purchased the Rock Creek Ranch and he spent his childhood working and playing on the family ranch.  When he was in Junior High he and his brothers Jerry and Donald drove a string of 150 bucking horses from Rock Creek Ranch to Lakeview for a Rodeo, it took them a week to get there, they camped at night with the horses. When arriving in Lakeview they accidentally took the horses down the residential area where angry homeowners were upset as the hungry horses devoured lawns and flowers. After the Rodeo, the boys drove the horses back to the ranch at Rock Creek. He also had fond memories of running wild horses for the ranch on horseback. In the summer time he drove a horse drawn rake haying at Rock Creek.

Joe graduated from Crane Union High School and then went on to OIT in Klamath Falls, where he studied mechanics and construction. After trade school he traveled the Rodeo circuit with his brother, Jerry, riding Saddle Broncos and together they traveled the Western United States.

He met and married the love of his life, Ingamoe Larsen, in August 1959 and they were happily married for 66 years. Together they raised three children where they instilled a strong work ethic and love of the outdoors.

Joe worked in Harney County most of his life and owned property in Catlow Valley running his ranch until his last day. He was an expert horseman and had a gift for roping. He always enjoyed helping his friends and neighbors brand cattle. His other hobby was collecting antique relics he found in the desert and purple bottles from old homesteads.

Joe is survived by his wife, Ingamoe; his children, Terry (Julie), Laurie (John) and Sheri; grandchildren, Heather, Brian, Jessica, Nathan, Paige, Megan; and seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Jerry (Linda) of Crane; and his many nieces and nephews and numerous extended relations and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Taft; mother, Nellie; and siblings, Gene, Donald, Virginia, Lucille and Tiny.

A celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Burns on Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. Please bring pictures and stories to share followed by a luncheon at the Elks Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joe’s name to the Harney County Home Health and Hospice.