Carl F. Miller, Yachats
Dec. 4, 1939 – July 24, 2023
Carl F. Miller, a longtime Yachats resident who led a local theater group, was chair of a museum nonprofit and grad marshal of the 2022 La de da Parade, died July 24, 2023 after a short illness. He was 83.
Carl Foster Miller was born Dec. 4, 1939 in Weatherly, Pa. to John and Mavis Hartz Miller. He graduated from Allentown High School, and soon thereafter joined the Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station north of Chicago. It was here that he had his first exposure to the theater when the base commander’s wife asked if he would be a part of her theatrical productions.
After getting out of the Navy he moved to Key West, Fla. holding various jobs, bank teller, night auditor, and disco bar tender. Among his friends were Jimmy Buffett and Ruth Buzzi. He also directed and acted in theater groups there.
A few years later Miller moved to the woods outside Montreal, Canada becoming a “hippie hermit” living off the land and the kindness of friends. He then moved to Vancouver, B.C, where he worked as a sheet rocker and maid.
Carl moved to Portland and in 1984 he met his life partner, Karl Christianson, at quaint establishment, The Family Zoo. They remained together for 39 years.
They moved to Yachats in 1986 after purchasing the See Vue motel six miles south of Yachats. They turned it into a very successful operation, sold it in 1992 and bought the Castaway Motel in Port Orford.
Carl believed in giving back to the community that had been so generous and accepting of him and his partner. He served as Yachats Chamber of Commerce president, 10 years on the board of the Friends of the Little Log Museum, was co-founder of the La de da parade, and formed and led the Umbrella Drill Team. He was honored as the parade’s grand marshal in 2022.
He was also co-founder and long time president of One of Us Productions, a not for profit organization that raised funds that helped support various community projects.
In addition to Karl Christianson, he is survived by his sister, Fran Taglioli and brother, Joey Miller, both of Allentown, Pa.
Contributions in his name can be made to the Little Log Museum, P.O. Box 712, Yachats 97498.
A celebration and tribute production is being planned for Dec. 4, his birthday. Del Shores and other notable friends plan to attend.