Zachary Adam Miller

On Friday, March 26th, 2021, Zachary Adam Miller, loving son, brother and friend, passed away far too young, at the age of 34.

Zachary was born on February 6th, 1987 in Edina, MN to Lisa and Galen Miller.  After graduating from Eden Prairie High School in MN, his passion for cars and anything with a motor led him to the Universal Technical Institute in Glendale Heights, IL.  He excelled at UTI and was accepted into the Mercedes-Benz Elite Program, graduating in April of 2007.  Zachary went on to work for Mercedes-Benz in Creve Coeur, MO as a Systems Technician.

By the age of three, Zach could identify cars by their emblems.  As we drove down the road we would hear him say Mercedes, Ford, Audi etc...and he was always right!  If he didn't recognize one, he would say, "Dad, what is that car?"  He watched his father intently as he changed the oil on our vehicles.  One day we saw him laying on the floor under his bright orange Little Tikes Crazy Coupe.  When asked what he was doing, he replied, "Just changing the oil."  In 5th grade, Zach was required to make a "how-to" video for a school project.  Other students did things like, how to make mac and cheese from a box.  Zach decided to demonstrate how to drive a stick shift!  Fortunately, his aunt and uncle had some acreage that he could drive on.  He carefully explained and demonstrated how to slowly release the clutch, while giving just the right amount of gas, how the gears worked etc...  He ended the video with him pealing out on the gravel driveway in a cloud of dust!  His classmates were in awe and his teacher gave him an "A+" even though she was a little unsure if she should encourage an 11 year old to drive!  We gave him that truck (a 1996 Mazda B2300) when he turned 16.  He was a bit embarrassed at the age and style of the truck, as many of his friends were getting fancy new cars, but it got him where he wanted to go.  One of his friends received a brand new Nissan sports car from his parents.  It was often parked in our garage after school with Zach under the hood or under the car, and 5 or 6 friends gathered around watching or giving advice.  We found out months later that they were adding things like Nitrous Oxide to enhance horsepower.  This also voids the warranty on the car, which is why they were at our house and not the friends that owned the car!

Zachary also loved animals, especially dogs.  His first word was not "Mom" or "Dad".  It was "Chelsea", the name of our next door neighbors dog!  He always told us he wanted a big dog, so it was no surprise when he called to tell us he got a puppy that was half Great Dane and half Great Pyrenees!  Nikita adored Zach as much as Zach loved her.  Thank you Sara, Tyler, Zachary and Dan for providing a loving home for Nikita.

Zach loved time spent with his friends boating on the river, sitting around the fire pit on a lovely fall evening, lounging around the pool on a hot summer day, watching movies, target shooting and much more.  He liked joining in on any project that he could weld, paint, hammer and be with his friends at the same time.  He looked forward to visiting his parents in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Off-roading, hiking, watching the bison and feeding the begging burros at Custer State Park.  He often said he would move there in a heart-beat if only they had a Mercedes dealership!

Zach was preceded in death by his grandparents Vernon Miller, Hazel Miller, Alvin Stelter and Darlene Stelter.  He is survived by his parents Lisa and Galen Miller, his sister Zuri Miller, her partner Kyle Bystol and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Zachary was a kind and generous person that alcohol addiction destroyed.  If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol or any other drug, please get help before it is too late.

No contributions are necessary. If you desire, please give to your favorite charity, especially those that help with alcohol and drug addiction.

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