RICHMOND — John Gaines “Jack” Miller III, 95, died on July 1, 2018.

Jack was born on April 10, 1923, in Rolla, Missouri, and grew up on the plains of southeastern Kansas, where he showed his early love of flying by building model airplanes. During World War II he left the University of Kansas to join the Army, where he entered flight training. It was during this time while in Richmond that he met Doris. On the third night after they met, as he was walking her home across the bridge to Manchester, he asked her to marry him. During the war he flew his beloved P-38 “Lightning” in the China Burma India Theater, routinely flying the Hump.

After the war, Jack returned home, eloped with Dot, then completed his education at the University of California, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering.

He worked for many years for the Berol Corporation, headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut.

After retiring, Jack and Dot moved to Deltaville, Virginia, acquired a Hunter sailboat, and for several years sailed to the Bahamas in the fall, returning each spring. They then moved to Southampton County, Virginia, living on land that backed up to the Meherrin River, on which over time he navigated a johnboat down to the Albemarle Sound.

His most recent experience in the air took place when he leaped out of an airplane at 11,000 feet to skydive over southside Virginia. He was only 88 at the time.

He was predeceased by his wife, Doris Rawls “Dot” Miller; his parents, John Gaines Miller Jr. and Evelyn R. Miller; his sons, John Gaines Miller IV; and Charles Russell Miller; and his daughter, Sharon Leigh Miller.

He is survived by his sister, Paula M. Burnett (Tom;) his son, Dwane Henry Miller (Dee;) his daughter-in-law, Karen F. Miller; his granddaughters, Jennifer O. Howard, (Sloan,) Erica M. Trout (Joe,) Laura M. Ross (Jason,) Eleanor M. Robertson (Tim;) and his grandson, Russell F. Miller (LaCrissa;) great-grandchildren, Cierra Howard, Chayne Howard, Nathan Trout, Natalie Trout, Jonathan Gavin Miller, Gracyn Ross, Coral Ross, Gabriella Robertson and Burkley Robertson.

The service will be on Thursday, July 5, at noon in Persons United Methodist Church, 27642 Old Church Road, Drewryville, Virginia. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Persons United Methodist Church, Drewryville, Virginia, c/o Mark Person, Treasurer, P.O. Box 14121, Richmond, VA 23225.

Online condolences may be made at www.echolsfuneralhome.com.