Kenneth George Miller

Kenneth George Miller, 87, of Scotts Valley, California, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He lived life to its fullest until the very end, putting up a valiant fight against cancer, a fight his family is deeply proud of.

Ken was born on March 30, 1939, in San Francisco, California, to George and Jewel Miller. At the age of nine, he moved to Watsonville, where he was raised and later graduated from Watsonville High School, Class of 1956. Following high school, he served honorably in the United States Army for two years. He spent his later years in Scotts Valley with his loving wife of 37 years, Linda Miller.

Ken is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Wendy Miller D'Ambrogia, Brett Miller, Jill and Carl Pacheco, Shane and Gina Miller, Bill Alaga, and Peter Alaga; 12 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Ken was passionate about hunting and fishing. He hunted deer, ducks, doves, pigeons and many other game species throughout Monterey County, and was skilled with both rifle and bow. He was an accomplished skeet shooter and a member of the Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun Club. Fishing was another lifelong passion, whether in freshwater, along the coast or later in life from his beloved boat, the Pacific Rose, where he spent countless days fishing for salmon and crab. He cherished the friendships and community he found at the harbor, where he spent his later years surrounded by close friends and his trusted deckhand, Josh Edwards.

In 1961, Ken and his father, George, opened Miller's Market, which became far more than a neighborhood grocery store. By day it served the community, and by evening it became a gathering place for hunters and fishermen to share stories, celebrate successes and build lasting friendships-many of which inspired his writing.

From 1967 to 1977, Ken wrote the "Fish and Game Chatter" column for the Register-Pajaronian. In his very first article, he invited the community to gather at the market, writing: "everyone's welcome to stop by the market and kick around hunting and fishing gossip in the area." The column covered opening days, fishing derbies, public hunting grounds, ammunition, skeet and trap clubs, fish plantings, permits, tags, upcoming seasons, local derby winners and hunting club events. He often included local hunters and fishermen by name, including family, friends and fellow outdoorsmen. He was also a professional photographer, often providing the images that accompanied his articles.

Ken found joy in every aspect of life-whether hunting in the hills, fishing on the ocean, grilling for family and friends or sharing stories at the market or harbor. In his later years, he found a meaningful spiritual home at Valley Vineyard Church in Scotts Valley, where he built cherished friendships and deepened his faith.

Ken was a wonderful husband and father and his family's fondest memories are of time spent together-hunting trips, camping adventures, water skiing, fishing, barbecues and the countless moments that reflected his hard work, humor and his love for his family.

Our family would like to thank Dr Wong and his staff for the loving care they provided to Ken, and to the all of the Drs and nurses at Dominican Hospital, especially Dr Castillo, Dr Singh, nurse Lila R. and nurse Marissa P., who showed so much loving care and respect during his last weeks.

Ken's life will be celebrated on July 8, 2026, with a private service at sea. His friends from the harbor will follow the vessel, the Sea Spirit, in their boats as he is laid to rest on the water he loved so deeply-his final journey home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ken's memory to Stanford Children's Hospital for the wonderful and ongoing care that they are giving to two of his great-grandchildren.

Ken will be remembered for his generosity, honesty, adventurous spirit, hard work, and his love for his friends and family.

He was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

Published in The Pajaronian · July 6, 2026