Cody Gene Miller

Cody Gene Miller was born October 14, 1954, the son of Gene and Virginia (Danielson) Miller in Walla Walla, Washington. He passed away on June 23, 2023, at Providence Saint Mary’s Medical Center at the age of 68.

In 1958 his family moved to Moses Lake, Washington, to farm. Cody attended Lakeview Elementary, Chief Moses Jr. High, and Moses Lake High School.

When Cody was not helping out on the family farm, he participated in 4-H, FFA, baseball, basketball, and junior and high school rodeos. In the late 1960s, as a catcher for his Little League team, they won the state championship, and they were able to go on to the national championships in Provo, Utah.

In 1971 the family moved to Odessa, Washington, where Cody finished his last two years of high school. He joined the high school rodeo team. His favorite events were bareback riding and bull riding. He was the Washington State High School Bull Riding Champion in 1973. He attended the National High School Rodeo finals in 1972 and 1973.

After graduating from Odessa High School, he attended DeVry School of Technology in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Technical Electronics.

In 1975, Cody married Lonna Lobe in Odessa, Washington. They moved to Grants Pass for a short time and then moved to Portland, Oregon, where Cody worked for IBM and Omega office systems as their service manager. During that time, he won several awards, to include paid family vacations, for his excellent electronic and customer-service skills. Cody and Lonna had three sons Coy, Josh, and Caleb.

In 1988, Cody moved his family to Walla Walla, where he worked for Thom’s office products as their sales and service technician. He later started his own business, Absolute Business Systems. Cody repaired and sold business office machines and computers to local schools and businesses. During that time, he enjoyed coaching and supporting his three sons in all their sporting activities, including hunting and fishing. Cody and Lonna divorced in 1997.

In 1997, Cody took a position as a senior system administrator at Baker Boyer Bank in Walla Walla. He was promoted to assistant vice president of Information Technology in 2006.

Cody met Debbie McKee in 1999, and they went on to marry in 2008. Together they built a lovely home where they entertained their blended family and friends. Cody was a “behind-the-scenes” guy who was known for smoking the best turkey for holiday dinners and grilling at their annual 4th-of-July celebration, which was one of his favorite gatherings of the year.

Cody had a strong exterior and a huge heart. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He would do anything for his family and friends.

For many years, Cody volunteered for Walla Walla Community College Rodeo, was president of the Walla Walla Gun Club, supported Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasant Forever, the NRA, and contributed annually to the Walla Walla Police Foundation. He was a member of College Place Presbyterian Church. In 2020, Cody retired from Baker Boyer Bank but continued helping others with computer problems.

Cody is survived by his wife, Debbie Miller; mother, Virginia Miller of Stanfield, OR; sisters, Cindy Griggs (Steve) of Hermiston, OR and Colleen Winfrey (Mark) of Hermiston, OR; sons, Coy Miller (Corrine) of Travis AFB CA, Josh Miller (Amber) of Walla Walla, WA, Caleb Miller (Symantha) of Sneads Ferry, NC; stepson, Ryan Neal of Walla Walla, WA; stepdaughter, Kimberly Hively (Andy) of Olympia, WA; grandchildren, Gracie, Rylee, Sophie, Paisley, Shay Lynn, Ashlyn, Jace, Brexton, Ryder, Addilynn and Kamden. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Gene Miller; niece, Bobbie Jo Lawrence; and nephew, Sean Griggs.

The memorial service for Cody will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the College Place Presbyterian Church, 325 NE Damson Ave., College Place, with a reception following.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.