Dr. Thomas Allan ‘Al’ Miller, of Murrysville , Pa., and formerly of Milford, Ind, passed away on Monday, Sept. 22, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born in 1928, in Boston, Ga., to the late Thomas I and Pearl (Roper) Miller. Al spent his early years in Thomasville, Ga., growing up on the family farm. Later, they moved to a farm in Niles, Mich. Al attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1960 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He purchased Milford Large Animal Clinic and practiced there for over 35 years. Al married the love of his life, Violet J. VanRy, in 1954. He was a devoted and loving husband and cherished his wife, Violet, all of his life.

Upon graduation from Niles High School, he worked as an arc welder for Studebaker in South Bend, Ind. He attained his private pilot’s license in 1949. Al was drafted into the US Army in 1950. He served as a Master Sergeant in the Fifth Army Area during the Korean War, working trans harbor craft and was awarded the Bronze Combat Star for his service. He is a lifetime Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He participated in field studies for pharmaceutical companies, and working with his partners, brought innovative, compassionate care to his clients. Al was loved and admired by his clients and colleagues for his honesty, sincerity, integrity and intellect. As a dedicated father, and a fun, loving, grandfather, he taught by example. He was a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, acting as a lay leader. He served for more than 10 years as the president of the Milford Town Council in Milford, and was awarded the Citizen of the Year award in 1980 by the Milford Area Development Committee for his work in the community. Al and Violet moved to Murrysville, after his retirement in 1997.

He is survived by his three brothers: Roy Miller of Niles, Mich.; Henry Miller (Caroleene) of Tremont, Ill.; Herbert Miller (Marcia), Statesville, N.C.; two children: Paul Miller (Michelle), Fountain Hills, Ariz.; Tamara Zeliff (James), Export, Pa.; three grandchildren: Dustin, Alexandra and Haley Zeliff; 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister: Betty (Miller) Young; a brother-in-law: Fred Young and his beloved wife: Violet J. (VanRy) Miller.

Memorial contributions may be made in Al’s name to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org) or the Redstone Highlands Benevolent Care Fund (Redstonehighlands.org/Murrysville) www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com