Obituary of Jonathon F. J. Miller

Jonathon Freeman Julian Miller, 23, of 316 Crossman St., died Friday, May 25, 2012 following a kayaking accident that occurred this past week on Kinzua Lake. He was born May 4, 1989 in Jamestown, the son of Myrna Cruz Miller and the late Ernest F. "Ernie" Miller. Jonathon graduated from Jamestown High School in 2007 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration on May 12th of this year from West Virginia University. He had three majors, Business Management, International Business and Sports Management as well as two minors, Communication Studies and History. While at West Virginia, he was the recipient of the Blue & Gold Scholarships, enjoyed intramural basketball and volunteered for Stepping Stones and the Special Olympics. He had been accepted into the graduate program at the University of New Orleans to pursue his MBA beginning this fall. In 2011, Jonathon was able to study with the Consortium Institute of Management and Business Analysis (CIMBA), through the University of Iowa, in Padermo del Grappa, Italy. He studied Global Economics and International Marketing while also having the opportunity to travel to 17 countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland. He had worked on the fitness staff at the WVU Recreation Center and also as a groundskeeper and pro shop attendant at Maplehurst Country Club. Always a proficient athlete, Jonathon participated in all sports from a young age. He was active in T-Ball, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, soccer, Northside football and JHS Red Raider football and lacrosse. He began playing hockey at the age of 5 and played for many Lakers teams as well as Red Raider high school teams. He was also a hockey official for 6 years. Jonathon still enjoyed the many long-lasting friendships formed during his hockey years. In addition to his mother of Jamestown, Jonathon is survived by his fianc, Katie Buckley of Pittsburgh, PA whom he met at WVU. They together looked forward to completing their graduate studies, Jonathon at the University of New Orleans and Katie at Louisiana State University, and beginning their life together. Also surviving are his sister, Heather (Tye) Flurie of Mayville, brother, Jason (Jennifer) Marsh of Middletown, NY and sister, Patricia (Dennis) Dixon of Dewittville; a son, Cameron Miller of Ashville, NY; maternal grandmother, Candida "Candy" Cruz of West Ellicott; paternal grandmother, Lucille "Lucy" Miller of Jamestown; six nieces and nephews: Noah and Evan Flurie, Grace and Lauren Marsh, and Daniel and Ella Dixon; 16 aunts and uncles: Alba and Douglas Arters of Gerry, NY, Edwin and Janet Cruz of Phoenix, AZ, Priscilla and Steve Schiff of Paducah, KY, Laurie and David Mattiuzzo of Lockport, NY, Marge and Bill Pietraface of Oneonta, NY, and David and Diane, Kenny and Diana, and Paul and Toni Miller, all of Jamestown; and many cousins, including Ryan Gilsinger of Lockport with whom Jonathon had a special friendship. He was preceded in death by his father who died June 13, 2008; maternal grandfather, Rev. Julio Cruz; and paternal grandfather, Frederick Miller. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at New Creation Assembly of God, 116 S. Main St., Jamestown. The Rev. Donald Fisher and the Rev. William Blair will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Jonathon Miller Scholarship Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown NY 14701.