Obituary of Mark Reid Miller

Mark Reid Miller, 76, passed away quietly in his home in Aiken, SC, on August 13, 2023.

Mark was born July 15, 1947 to Pearl Bauer and Wilbur Oscar Miller, Jr. in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Along with his twin brother Steve and older sister Beverly, the family lived near a variety of army bases in Detroit, Baltimore, and Japan. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970, having become a fraternity member of Sigma Chi, where he made lifelong friends. In 1971, Mark began his 27 year career with the Montgomery County Police Department, where he served as a Sergeant and friend to many of his fellow officers. 

Mark married his first wife, Patricia (“Pat”) Hoskins, in 1974, after meeting her in Ocean City as a “beach cop.” Together, they lived in Boyds, Maryland for decades, raising their daughter Stacy, born in 1979. Mark loved gardening as well as ice hockey, running, and being with his extended family. Upon retirement, Mark continued to work as a part-time bailiff and painter, and began tackling a long bucket list of international destinations, including Ireland, Scotland, Belize, Italy, and France. He enjoyed learning about history and read many a nonfiction book that others would call “boring.”

Mark’s favorite activities included playing golf with friends, watching his beloved Maryland Terrapins play on TV, and oil painting-- a talent he discovered and cultivated after moving to Aiken in 2007, and especially after Pat passed away from lung cancer in 2014.  

Just before his 70th birthday, Mark met Frere French and discovered a shared love of painting and golf. Together, they enjoyed outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and hiking the many trails in Woodside. They married during the COVID epidemic in 2020, and had a drive-by reception with friends in Richmond. In their years together, they toured Antigua, Iceland, Chile, and the Galápagos, but always enjoyed returning home to their friends in Aiken. They adopted an injured dog named Spirit from FOTAS; she quickly became an integral part of their family.

He is survived by his wife Frere Miller, sister Beverly Reather, daughter Stacy Miller, grandsons Fionn and Wilbur Donahue, step-sons Lee and Marshall French, and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss his dry wit and ability to organize uniquely quirky golf tournaments.

After an epic battle with melanoma that spanned nearly 25 years, Mark died peacefully at his home on August 13, 2023, while sharing the couch with Spirit.

A celebration of life service will be held at George Funeral Home in Aiken on October 14th from 4-6pm.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mark’s honor to the American Cancer Society.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com