Leighton Miller was born Oct. 3, 1925 in Cullman, Alabama and passed away, Monday, May 21, 2012 in Madera, CA. He was the youngest child of Columbus Jackson and Minnie Miller. He had an older brother, Rother and sister Doris. When he was 3 years old his family moved to Madera after his family decided they had experienced their last tornado.
Leighton started school at Alpha Elementary, wearing his favorite striped bib-overalls every day. When he transferred to Lincoln Elementary his classmates made fun of his overalls. He returned to school wearing long pants like everyone else.
He graduated 8th grade from Lincoln and attended Madera Union High School. He graduated early after receiving his draft notice entering the United States Navy on Feb. 26, 1944. He served aboard the USS Idaho in the Solomon Islands. After serving for two years he was given an honorable discharge in December, 1945 following the death of his father.
Leighton began working in the jewelry trade at age 16 for Robert Wellman of Wellman Jewelers where he learned the art of watch making. After the Navy he returned to Madera and went to work at Robert Jewelers as a watch repairman.
Leighton's duties included trips to the Greyhound bus station to send repair work from the jewelry store. He enjoyed taking a break for a milkshake at the station's soda fountain. There he met the love of his life, Patricia Fischer, who worked the soda fountain. Their first date was at the Fresno Fair horse races, hoping that the gray horse would win. He always loved a good horserace!
Leighton and Pat were married on July 3, 1953 and honeymooned on Independence Day in Santa Barbara. Leighton's Time Shop was opened in the Aragon Hotel in May of 1956. Their first child, Hugh Jackson was born on Feb. 1, 1957, and 18 months later they had twin boys, Chris Everett and Corey Leighton on July 22, 1958.
Leighton made the decision to buy his own building in 1969 after a bank bought the one he was renting. He purchased the building on South D Street where it continues to this day under the ownership of his son Chris Miller. A second store was established in May of 1981 in Los Banos and a third store opened in February, 1990 in Merced. His son Corey Miller now owns the store in Merced. After the passing of his eldest son, Hugh, the Los Banos store sold to the current owners, Jim and Sherri Pearson.
Leighton retired in July of 2006 after his beloved work buddy, Victoria (Prosperi) Elrod told him that she was quitting.
Leighton was preceded in death by his siblings Rother Miller, Doris Jacobsen, and son Hugh Miller. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia, daughter-n-law, Joyce Lano and husband Paul of Twain Harte, grandchildren, Mark Miller, Daniel and wife, Megan of Fresno, son and wife, Chris and Kim of Madera, grandchildren, Brandon of Steamboat Springs, CO, Suzie and husband, Justin Behrman and great grandchild, Lexi Ann Behrman, of Madera, son and wife, Corey and Lory, of Madera, grandchildren Jeremy of Clovis, Jared and wife Rachel of Fresno, and Amy Miller of Madera.
Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Ave. Madera. Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Arbor Vitae Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Grace Community Church, 17755 Road 26.
Leighton started school at Alpha Elementary, wearing his favorite striped bib-overalls every day. When he transferred to Lincoln Elementary his classmates made fun of his overalls. He returned to school wearing long pants like everyone else.
He graduated 8th grade from Lincoln and attended Madera Union High School. He graduated early after receiving his draft notice entering the United States Navy on Feb. 26, 1944. He served aboard the USS Idaho in the Solomon Islands. After serving for two years he was given an honorable discharge in December, 1945 following the death of his father.
Leighton began working in the jewelry trade at age 16 for Robert Wellman of Wellman Jewelers where he learned the art of watch making. After the Navy he returned to Madera and went to work at Robert Jewelers as a watch repairman.
Leighton's duties included trips to the Greyhound bus station to send repair work from the jewelry store. He enjoyed taking a break for a milkshake at the station's soda fountain. There he met the love of his life, Patricia Fischer, who worked the soda fountain. Their first date was at the Fresno Fair horse races, hoping that the gray horse would win. He always loved a good horserace!
Leighton and Pat were married on July 3, 1953 and honeymooned on Independence Day in Santa Barbara. Leighton's Time Shop was opened in the Aragon Hotel in May of 1956. Their first child, Hugh Jackson was born on Feb. 1, 1957, and 18 months later they had twin boys, Chris Everett and Corey Leighton on July 22, 1958.
Leighton made the decision to buy his own building in 1969 after a bank bought the one he was renting. He purchased the building on South D Street where it continues to this day under the ownership of his son Chris Miller. A second store was established in May of 1981 in Los Banos and a third store opened in February, 1990 in Merced. His son Corey Miller now owns the store in Merced. After the passing of his eldest son, Hugh, the Los Banos store sold to the current owners, Jim and Sherri Pearson.
Leighton retired in July of 2006 after his beloved work buddy, Victoria (Prosperi) Elrod told him that she was quitting.
Leighton was preceded in death by his siblings Rother Miller, Doris Jacobsen, and son Hugh Miller. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia, daughter-n-law, Joyce Lano and husband Paul of Twain Harte, grandchildren, Mark Miller, Daniel and wife, Megan of Fresno, son and wife, Chris and Kim of Madera, grandchildren, Brandon of Steamboat Springs, CO, Suzie and husband, Justin Behrman and great grandchild, Lexi Ann Behrman, of Madera, son and wife, Corey and Lory, of Madera, grandchildren Jeremy of Clovis, Jared and wife Rachel of Fresno, and Amy Miller of Madera.
Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Ave. Madera. Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Arbor Vitae Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Grace Community Church, 17755 Road 26.
