John Burke Miller, 90, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 14, 1934, to Burke and Mary Lucy Miller, John was a lifelong Kansas Citian whose legacy is rooted in family, faith, service, and entrepreneurial spirit.
John graduated from Southwest High School and earned his B.A. from Grinnell College. Shortly after graduating, he married his college sweetheart, Mary Ann Holthues, in 1956. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama before returning to Kansas City to begin his career and raise a family.
A gifted musician, John’s love of music endured throughout his life. He played the piano, clarinet, and saxophone in high school and college, and continued to entertain family and friends by playing requests on demand, even in his final year at Meadowbrook Senior Living. John loved playing the piano for his grandchildren at bedtime.
John dedicated his career to Broadway Industries, the company his father founded in 1948. As president, alongside his brothers Craig and David, John expanded the company from a hardware store in Waldo, to a thriving enterprise with a home center, commercial sales division, and a luxury hardware line known as the Broadway Collection. Under his leadership, the company’s beautifully designed brass hardware was selected for prestigious residences and hotels worldwide—including the White House.
Deeply committed to service, John was active in Rotary International, serving as District Governor and President of the Downtown Kansas City Rotary club. He held leadership roles at Second Presbyterian Church, and was a Life Member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board. John was especially devoted to disaster response, volunteering with both The Salvation Army and Red Cross at numerous local incidents and six major national disasters. For over 20 years, he joyfully supported the Angel Tree and family gift program at the Salvation Army Westport Corps during the Christmas season.
In retirement, John combined his business expertise with his love for service by mentoring international entrepreneurs through the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) and Citizens Development Corps (CDC), completing USAID-sponsored projects in Thailand, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Southeast Asia, and Honduras. He also mentored local business leaders through the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP).
John and Mary Ann loved traveling—especially with family. From ski trips and fishing excursions in Colorado, Wyoming, and Minnesota, to multi-generational vacations in Florida, Arizona, and Guayabitos, Mexico, the memories they created will live on through countless stories and cherished photographs.
John described his daily goal as “finding ways every day to make each day better for someone, somewhere.” He lived that principle fully.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mary Ann; his brothers Craig Miller and David Miller (Ginny); and his children Tom Miller (Kathy), Ann Brandenburg (Steve), and Kathy McClernon (Joe). He was a proud grandfather to Amy Brandenburg, Julie Anderson (Chase), Brent Miller (Caroline), Abbie Miller, and Matt Miller (Alli), and a joyful great-grandfather—"Great Pop"—to Alice, Charlie, and Orion.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, at Second Presbyterian Church, 318 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
