Moorpark remembers a founding father, Bart Miller

A memorial service was held Wednesday for longtime Moorpark resident Lewis Barton Miller, considered one of the city's founding fathers.

Barton, or Bart as many people knew him, died Feb. 7 at age 90.

He was born in 1921 and was a lifelong Ventura County resident. He and his wife, Vernice, moved to Moorpark in 1949.

In the 1950s, Bart helped form the Moorpark Little League and the Cub Scout troop, which remain in the city today.

He was voted Moorpark's first honorary mayor in 1969, many years before the city incorporated. He was an active charter member of the Rotary Club of Moorpark, a Moorpark planning commissioner and a member of the Ventura County grand jury. Miller retired as postmaster of Moorpark and Camarillo in 1980.

In 2003, Moorpark named Miller Parkway and Miller Park in his honor.

Wednesday's service at Moorpark's United Methodist Church was attended by many family members, community members and city officials who spoke about the legacy he left in Moorpark.

During the service, Moorpark American Legion Post 502 honored Miller with a ceremony, and Moorpark police Capt. Ron Nelson played taps on a bugle.

Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin said she had known Miller for many years. She called him humorous, humble and "one of our founding fathers in  Moorpark."

Parvin said she spoke to Miller several weeks ago to ask him about receiving another honor from the Rotary Club for his extensive work in the  community.

"We're a greater community because of him. Anyone who knew him knows that. He's a man I truly admire, and I know everyone at City Hall feels the same way. He had a great life in Moorpark, and we will love him forever," Parvin said.

Daughter-in-law Frances Miller recalled how he always wanted to practice before he threw the first pitch when Little League season began each year.

Mary Schwabauer, a Moorpark resident for more than 50 years, said any time an event took place "he attended and dutifully participated. Anytime you needed help, he was always the one to step forward."

"Bart was truly our town. He was a gentle man. He was polite and had uncommon courtesy that is missing today," said the Rev. Stephen Meadors, who was friends with Miller.

Miller served in the Army during World War II.

Pete Duncan, past commander of Post 502, said Miller rarely talked about his military service.

There may have been stories he may have shared with some people, but Duncan said Miller kept most of those stories to himself.

"His accomplishments (didn't take precedent) to what his service to country meant to him. I know it meant something to him because he was a charter member of the American Legion here in Moorpark. We only have a couple of (charter members) remaining," Duncan said.

"I, for one, will remember him for the rest of my life," he added.

Miller was married to Vernice for 61 years. She died in 2004. Their only son, Neil Miller, died last year.

Bart Miller is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Maxine Miller, of Arizona; grandson, Weston Miller; great- grandchildren, Jewel, Gracelyn and Ty Miller; and companion Colleen Brubaker, all of Ventura; and daughter-in-law Francis Miller.