Karl Gabriel Miller, aka: "Little Karl" & "K.G.", age 57, transitioned into eternal life with our Lord, on August 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona, passing peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
Karl was born Sept. 30, 1961 to Karl Alden and Carol Marie (Young) Miller in Wickenburg, AZ, where he was raised and spent most of his life. In his early years, he enjoyed hunting with his Dad and was good at it, loved working with his hands to fix or create, such as making leather and snake skin belts, hat bands, and working on vehicles, bikes & bicycles. At 8 years old he began helping with this dad's second job, cleaning the County building for 3- 4 years. After high school began attending and graduated from ABC Welding School in Phoenix, then went to work for Taylor Trailer in Glendale building trailers. He also worked as a mechanic at Craig Motors and beekeeping, moving bees in and out of state.
He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 11 years and dealt with many health issues, including being on dialysis for 23+ years. Karl most certainly had his challenges in life, while fully accepting responsibility for those he brought on himself. Never was he one to ask, "Why me?" , instead, with his humor, positive attitude and his faith, he just pushed through whatever he was faced with even joking about his multiple disabilities. His many doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and fellow dialysis patients be came his social network whom he cared for dearly and they him. Although being blind he could see ones heart an spoke to all without holding back emotion. He loved his family, his pets and his friends with all his heart and told them often. He was sensitive, caring and giving to a fault and tried to see the good in all people.
In 1982 Karl married Kathy Lynn Wise, with whom they were blessed with a son, Anthony Elliot born Feb. 22, 1985. Karl was preceded in death by his mother Carol in 2009 and he is survived by his son Anthony (Victoria), father Karl A., sisters Karla Kelley (Aaron), Lisa Owings (Mike), Cheri Kelley (Dan), nephews: Josh Landers (Sara), Micah Kelley and Daniel Smith, nieces: Andrea Miller (Dan), Erin Mique Boner (Mike) and Willow Owings.
A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 232 N. Tegner St. with a reception to follow in Sullivan Hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Karl's memory be made to the AZ Kidney Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Association or the Arizona Humane Society. Karl will be truly missed, and while allowing our faith to be greater than our grief, we believe he's well taken care of, out of pain with his Mom and resting in peace, in the presence of his Lord.