Obituaries

Former MLB Pitcher Justin Miller Remembered By Family, Friends

The former Major League Baseball player ran Miller's Legacy Baseball, a training facility in Clearwater.

By Local Editor Sunde Farquhar

Friends and family of Ex-MLB pitcher Justin Miller will remember him at a private service at Clearwater's Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 3.

Miller is survived by Jessica, his wife of 15 years, and the couple's two sons Joey, 18, and Johnnie, 7. 

Miller, 35, was found dead at his Palm Harbor home on June 26, 2013, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Cristen Rensel. 

Deputies responded to a call at the home at 10:45 p.m. An open death investigation is underway. The case was referred to detectives after Miller's death, which is considered standard procedure, according to Rensel.

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"It doesn't appear suspicious," Rensel said of the former MLB player's death.

Miller's widow Jessica reached out to family and friends on the Facebook page of Miller's Legacy Baseball, a training facility he opened in Clearwater after his MLB retirement in 2010.

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"Thank you to all our family and friends for thinking of us at this difficult time. On Wednesday night we lost a wonderful husband and father. His passing was unexpected and we will continue to pray for serenity and comfort for our sons and the rest of our family," she wrote.

"Justin will be remembered by his friends as someone who cared deeply about others and always tried to smile, even in light of adversity. He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, son, and sibling," said his obituary, which was published on the Sylvan Abbey website Monday, July 1. 

Miller was represented by the Sosnick Cobbe Sports agency, which commented about his death on social media.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the family of former RHP Justin Miller, who has passed away. Justin was 35-years-old and a loyal friend. Justin was extremely proud of his wife and two boys. Please pray for his family and loved ones," the agency said on Twitter.

Miller played in the major leagues for seven years for the Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miller was known for the colorful tattoos on his arms. In 2004, he was told by Major League Baseball officials to wear a long-sleeved shirt underneath his uniform when he played, because players at bat found his tattoos to be distracting. This is often referred to as the "Justin Miller Rule," according to the sportingnews.com.

The public is invited to sign the online guestbook for Justin Miller and share a memory on Sylvan Abbey's website.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to "The J.J. Miller College Fund" at any Wells Fargo bank. Miller is also survived by his parents Joe and Mona Miller of Torrence, CA; and a brother Corey, of Torrence, CA. A second memorial service will also be held in California.


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