Lawton Francis Miller, Jr., 81, of Orange, CA, passed away Jan. 21, 2023, from cancer.
Son of Lawton F. Miller, Sr., and Evelyn (Halvorson) Miller of Devils Lake, ND, Lawton, Jr., was born July 25, 1941. Having obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from NDSU, Lawton launched his 49-year career in aerospace in July 1963 by accepting a position with Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was married to his wife, Aldene (Carlson) Miller on Sept. 14, 1963. At Collins, he oversaw production of the (L-1011) ZERO CAT landing system for U.S. aviation and worked on communications for the Apollo missions. Lawton’s interests included music, woodworking, camping, photography, gardening, and travel – making an annual road trip back home to ND.
He is survived by his wife, Aldene; daughter Jennifer (Mike) DeFusco of Crestline, CA; son Craig (Cheryl) Miller of Mission Viejo, CA; son Neal (Keri) Miller of Tustin, CA; six grandchildren: Gino and Gianna DeFusco; Clayton and Kaylee Miller; Sophia and Ricky Miller. Lawton’s surviving brothers are Jerry (Daria) Miller, Devils Lake, ND; Wally, Grand Forks, ND; Wayne (Doug) Miller, Rancho Mirage, CA.; sister-in-law Lynann (Irvin) Rustad, Fargo ND; sister-in-law LaVonne Rustad, Fargo, ND; and brother-in-law Darrel “Duffy” (Deb) Carlson, Warwick, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life services were held Feb. 25, 2023, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Orange, CA. Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, 11 a.m. at the Norway Lutheran Church Cemetary, Devils Lake, ND.
