Christopher Miller

November 25, 1945 – October 18, 2026

Christopher “Chris” Miller, 80, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 25, 1945, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to Harry and Katherine Miller.

Chris graduated from Deerfield Beach High School in Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, and a master’s degree in finance from Marshall University in West Virginia.

On October 16, 1967, Chris entered the United States Army as a Private (E-1). He served in Da Nang, Vietnam, as an infantry intelligence operator, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) before receiving an honorable discharge. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Chris received the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “1960” device, two Overseas Service Bars, and the Sharpshooter Badge with M-14 Rifle Bar in recognition of his honorable service.

After the Army, Chris built a successful career in computer and direct marketing sales. He later joined the Department of Defense as an accountant with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Columbus, Ohio, and retired in 2012.

Chris was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and a season ticket holder for many years. When Ohio State played, you could find him at every home game. After he moved to Alexandria, he never missed a game, cheering on the Buckeyes from the comfort of his living room.

Chris was a devoted member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church in Alexandria, where he volunteered for many projects over the years, including the church’s Pumpkin Patch, and served on the offering counting team.

Those who knew Chris rarely left his company without hearing a story or two about his days selling computers in Eastern Kentucky for the former Burroughs Corporation, or about collecting money for the federal government to make sure suppliers paid their bills, along with plenty of important trivia about football and other sports.

Chris met the love of his life, Donna, on a blind date on November 14, 1985, and they were married on April 27, 1991. Together they enjoyed festivals and concerts, especially the Columbus Arts Festival, where they began an intentional habit of supporting artists by buying their work. Those pieces adorn their home today. Chris and Donna also shared a commitment to supporting nonprofits aligned with their beliefs, convinced that being generous with their time, talent, and treasure made their community a better place. After many years in Columbus, they moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where Chris wholeheartedly supported Donna in her career.

Chris is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Donna Jarvis-Miller; their chocolate Lab, Beau; his son, M. Ross Miller (Debbie); his grandchildren, Katherine Anne Miller, Matthew Ryan Miller (Paula), and Julie Marie Miller; his brother, Nick Miller (Renee); his nephew, Clint Miller; his niece, Nicole Yates (Stephen); his great-nephew, Miller Yates; and many, many friends who loved him like family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Katherine Miller; his brother, Sam Miller; and Bentley, one of their beloved dogs.

In keeping with Chris’s wishes, he will be cremated and laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery. A portion of his ashes will also be scattered at sea off the eastern coast of Florida, where his parents and his youngest brother, Sam, are buried. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 2006 Belle View Boulevard, Alexandria, Virginia 22307. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m., with the program beginning at 2:30 p.m., followed by an open house at the home of Donna Jarvis-Miller.

Chris was a passionate supporter of veterans’ organizations, believing deeply that those who serve and have served our country, giving so much of themselves, deserve our support. In recent years, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) helped Chris and Donna navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs system to ensure he received the very best care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at www.dav.org or by mail to DAV, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

Helping others was one of Chris’s defining traits. In that spirit, his family had arranged for him to donate his organs and tissue through Infinite Legacy. Although the timing of his passing did not allow the donation to be completed, he is honored as an Organ Donor in Spirit. His family encourages others to consider becoming organ and tissue donors, giving those in need another chance at life.