David James Miller, 77, of Rochester Hills, Mich., a marketing professional and entrepreneur, died peacefully Saturday, December 31, 2016, following a brief illness.

Dave was a loving husband, a patient and supportive father, and a generous and adoring grandfather. He started several businesses, designed mining equipment, and worked three decades in sales and marketing for Vickers, a major hydraulics corporation previously headquartered in Troy, Mich.

He was born on Oct. 28, 1939, the second child of Roy Henry Miller and Helen Jeanette (Maxwell) Miller.

Dave graduated from Clarion-Limestone High School where he was the president of the junior class, vice president of the senior class, and business manager for the yearbook. He studied mechanical engineering at the Behrend Campus of Penn State University and earned a graduate degree in sales, management and marketing from Syracuse University.

In 1961, he married Luci Clark of Oil City, Pa. For the next 55 years, they would be the loves of each other’s lives while raising two children and doting on their three grandchildren.

The grandchildren called him “Papa,” and he adored them. He cheered their games, meets and recitals, teased them about their Halloween costumes, taught them to make things out of wood, and shared his joy of model trains. Most of all, he was always there for them, day or night, whenever they needed him. He will be missed by many, but by his family most of all.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and step-father.

Dave is survived by his wife, Lucille Nancy (Clark) Miller of Rochester Hills, Mich.; a son, Jeffrey David Miller (Jill Ann Schwartz), of Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Julie Ann (Miller) Reeves, and three grandchildren, Brianna Nicole Reeves, Trevor Thomas Reeves, and Ryan Tyler Reeves, of Troy, Mich.; a sister, Patricia (Miller) Orcutt Kean, of Clarion, Pa.; a step-sister, Paula (Cartwright) Jeffreys of Camarillo, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations to be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America or the Michigan Humane Society.

Online condolences to the family can be made at www.pursefuneralhome.com