Charles I. Miller, 79, peacefully passed away with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Leesburg, VA.

Chuck was born May 13, 1937 in Butler, PA.  After graduating from Butler High School in 1955 he was recruited to play football at Arizona State University, the foundation of his passion for the Southwest.   As an industrial engineer with Chromalox, he transferred from the Pittsburgh plant to Murfreesboro, TN and subsequently married his hometown sweetheart, Patricia Oczypok in 1959.  In 1960, they were blessed with the birth first child, Michael, followed by Michele in 1961, Melissa in 1963, and bringing up the rear, Matthew in 1978.

Successful in business, family was always central in his priorities.  For the many years that he was a consultant and association executive traveling on business and away from home many days a month, he was always sure to be there for his kids' football games, marching competitions, lacrosse games, and PTA and Booster Club events.  Always first to offer a helping hand to those less fortunate, he coordinated bikes for DC inner city children, and organized teams to rebuild Princeville, NC after the destruction of Hurricane Floyd.

Early in his career, Chuck served as director of security and training for The Tappan Company in Murray, Kentucky, and as a manager of loss prevention for The Kroger Company in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 1970, Chuck founded Loss Prevention Systems, a management consulting firm to the food retail and manufacturing industry, prior to joining Food Marketing Institute in 1987.

Innovative and forward thinking, Chuck got people talking and sharing, and served as a mentor to countless loss prevention executives over the years.  Throughout his entire career, he expertly managed and continually collaborated with retail industry committees to prepare industry-wide policy and guidance.  With great pride, he also acted as an industry liaison with local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, USDA, Food Safety & Inspection Service, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security, National Defense Transportation Association, National Fire Protection Association, National Coalition on Ergonomics, and various other agencies.

Chuck leaves behind a legacy of courage, dignity, love, respect, integrity, love for country, and love of God.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia, and his adoring children Michael Miller of Ashburn VA, Michele Miller of Charleston SC, Melissa Miller Russell of Cupertino CA, and Matthew Miller of Reston VA, grandchildren Kelly Miller Deal and Katy Miller, great-granddaughter AnnDee Deal, and daughter-in-law Laura McFarland Miller,  son-in-law David Russell, and daughter-in-law Jacqueline Duarte Miller.  In addition, he is predeceased by his mother Ella Mae Campbell and step-father O.C. Smith, and sisters Sally Erskine, Charlene Tolbert and survived by his sister Lennie Blume of Torrance, CA.

A visitation will be held for family and friends on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. with a memorial service at 2:00pm at Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia near Tysons Corner.  A reception for family and friends will immediately follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests friends and family make charitable donations to the activities department which brought much joy to Chuck these past two years:

Inova Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

c/o Activities Department - Mabel Costello

235 Old Waterford Rd NW

Leesburg, VA 20176

Or, to his church, which he enjoyed every Sunday for years:

Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church

1301 Trap Road

Vienna, Virginia  22182

Reference: Charles I. Miller Memorial

Please view the photos of the wonderful memories, many shared with you, his beloved friends and family through the years, at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/Charles-I-Miller . We welcome your thoughts and memories of Chuck on www.colonialfuneralhome.com