Merle E. Miller of Newport, North Carolina, passed away 3 Oct. 2016 after a courageous six-year battle against cancer. Merle is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon; son Ross of Lenoir City, Tennessee; son Scott, daughter-in-law Tricia, and grandson Warren of Athens, Georgia; sister Marcia Kiechle of Newark Valley, New York; and brother Marvin of Columbia, Texas.
After graduating from high school in Middleburg, New York, Merle joined the United States Army and served with the 101st Airborne Division. He later attended the State University of Albany, New York, where he earned BS and MS degrees in business education. He served as president of Alpha Pi Alpha Fraternity. Merle taught business courses at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, New York, for 32 years where he founded and coached the boys’ soccer team and began a student work-study program.
Merle retired to North Carolina in 2001. He enjoyed golf with the “Hot Doggers” at Morehead City Country Club and fishing with members of the Saltwater Light Tackle Club, St. Egbert’s Holy Mackerel Fishing Club, and the FinAddicts. Merle was an active member of the Fort Macon Sail & Power Squadron, achieving the rank of Junior Navigator and serving as Commander. Merle and Sharon enjoyed traveling and took many cruises, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Normandy Beaches, and Paris.
In lieu of flowers, Merle’s family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Carteret Community College Foundation, Morehead City, NC 28557 for their scholarship fund.
Merle was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher and friend who will be greatly missed.
