By Mike Hazlip—
A celebration of life has been scheduled to take place this weekend for former Citrus Heights Councilman Steve Miller.
The event is set to be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at the Citrus Heights Community Center, according to an announcement from Price Funeral Chapel. The event is open to the community, the city said.
California Assemblyman for the 7th Assembly District, Josh Hoover, called for an adjournment of the assembly on April 10 in Miller’s honor.
The 64-year-old served 17 years on the Citrus Heights City Council, stepping down in 2022 to serve on the San Juan Unified School District’s governing board. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on March 25.
Originally from San Francisco, Miller graduated Clayton Valley High School in 1976, according to his obituary. He married his wife Nanette and held various management positions throughout his career, eventually becoming an inspector and manager with the County of Sacramento.
He served with various community organizations such as Lions, Rotary, and as “Coach Sparky” for the Sunrise Girls Softball. He was a past president of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH).
A page dedicated to Miller was published on the city’s website, saying he will also be remembered for his sense of humor and his work to represent Citrus Heights on a number of area boards and commissions.
“Steve Miller embodied what it meant to be involved in community and his passion for service truly made a difference and improved Citrus Heights,” Mayor Tim Schaefer said in a statement published by the city. “Steve was a great storyteller and brought wonderful insight to the Citrus Heights City Council. Steve’s legacy of accomplishments will live in the hearts and memories of a great many people that expand beyond the Citrus Heights City Limits.”
Miller worked on a number of high-profile development projects in Citrus Heights, including the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan and the 260-unit Mitchell Village housing development. He also had a hand in the revitalization of the Auburn Boulevard corridor.
Miller told The Sentinel in a June 2021 interview that his life of community service was an effort to improve the lives of those around him.
“That’s why I enjoy doing what I’m doing,” Steve Miller said. “It’s where the rubber meets the pavement and you can see the results of what you’re doing.”
Miller is survived by his wife, two children, and six grandchildren.
