Obituary: Gerald L. "Gerry" Miller

Gerald L. "Gerry" Miller, Brigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), age 82, died peacefully on September 18, 2024. 

He was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on September 9, 1942, the oldest of eight children of the late Charles and Lucina (DeCoster) Miller, and married college sweet-heart, Lynn Rapozo, of Lihue, Hawaii, in 1964.  He graduated from Brillion High School; Marquette University (bachelor’s degree in political science); and Marquette University Law School (juris doctor degree).

Gerry was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 and was wounded in Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander in 1965. He served again in the Vietnam War as an RF-4 Phantom II (reconnaissance) pilot in 1969-70, flying 195 combat missions.  In his 30 years of Marine Corps active duty, he served at duty stations in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Japan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, South Vietnam, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.  In 1990, Gerry was promoted to brigadier general and served as the senior lawyer for the Marine Corps until his retirement.  He later worked as general counsel for the Marine Corps Aviation Association, as a director for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and as the administrator for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, all in Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn, of 60 years; a son and daughter-in-law, John Peter and Elise Miller; a daughter, Penelope; and a daughter and son-in-law, Paige Miller and Joseph Hannigan; five grandchildren (Jacob, Nicholas, Lucas, Jillian, and Andrew Miller); six brothers and three sisters-in-law: Charles Miller, Richard (Margo) Miller, Dennis (Carolyn) Miller, David Miller, Steven (Karla) Miller, and Keith Miller; one sister: Sandra Kletti; mother-in-law: Daisy Lani Rapozo; brother-in-law: Wayne (Stephanie) Rapozo; sister-in-law: Marilyn Kunukau; sister-in-law: Louise Souza; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. The Miller family also includes dear friends, Anthony “Stoney” and Tho Bui, formerly of the Republic of South Vietnam.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lucina (DeCoster) Miller of Brillion, Wisconsin; his father-in-law, Lucas (Daisy) Rapozo of Lihue, Hawaii; his sister-in-law, Judith (Charles) Miller of Appleton, Wisconsin; his brother-in-law, Michael (Sandra) Kletti of Menasha, Wisconsin; his brother-in-law, Douglas (Marilyn) Kunukau of Mililani, Hawaii; and his brother-in-law, Edwin “Junior” (Louise) Souza of Kailua, Hawaii.

Gerry was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Spirit Council; a member of the American Legion Post of Brillion; and an associate with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross of Bay Settlement.

Gerry’s principal military decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service medal, Defense Superior Service medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star medal with combat "V" and the Purple Heart medal. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the Vigil Liturgy, including the Rosary, at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27, at Jansen Fargo Funeral Home, 204 E Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly, Wisconsin. Visitation will continue on Saturday, September 28, at Holy Spirit Parish, 600 E Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly, Wisconsin, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. Father Carl Schmitt will officiate.  Military honors will be held after Mass.

Gerry has asked that those attending his funeral wear something red, white, and blue, in memory of his loyal service to the country and love of all things patriotic.  All are welcome.  At a date following, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated in Gerry’s memory to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203.  The NMCRS provides financial assistance and education to Sailors and Marines, their eligible family members, widows, and survivors: http://www.nmcrs.org/.

The family thanks Dr. Timothy Goggins and staff at Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology in Appleton; Dr. Parameswaran Hari, Dr. Anita D'Souza, and staff at Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center in Milwaukee; and Dr. Brian Burnette and staff at St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Center in Green Bay for their exceptionally compassionate and professional care of Gerry over the past 12 years.