Thomas Edward “Big Tom” Miller – September 10, 2026

Thomas Edward “Big Tom” Miller, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 10, 2026, while vacationing in Aruba with his beloved wife and family, from an apparent abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Born March 14, 1960, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Tom was the son of the late Kenneth Max and Nellie Doris (Miller) Dunmire. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, graduated from Chaney High School, and later made his home in Tuscarawas, Ohio.

Tom began his career with Commercial Honing and later worked for Zimmer before spending 25 years with R & J as a plant manager. For the past eight years, he was a valued member of the Dover Hydraulics team, serving as Cylinder Shop Operations Manager. Throughout his career, Tom was respected not only as a leader, but also as a mentor and trusted friend to many.

Those who knew Tom knew a man with an enormous heart. He was patient and quick to listen, taking time to understand before he spoke. He treated everyone with respect and had a way of making people feel like family. He was honorable, dependable, compassionate, and tenderhearted enough to shed a tear over a television commercial.

Tom loved BIG. He would give you the shirt off his back and help you put it on. He never met a stranger, and for so many who knew and loved him, Tom was the “first phone call”—the person you called for advice, help, encouragement, or simply because you needed someone you could count on.

Above everything else, Tom lived for his family. His wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends were the center of his world. Few things brought him greater happiness than being surrounded by the people he loved.

Tom married the love of his life, Angela M. (Blackwell) Miller, on April 6, 1991. Together they shared more than 35 years of marriage and built a family and a life filled with love, laughter, memories, and devotion.

In addition to Angela, Tom is survived by his children, Mandy and Chris Porter of Tuscarawas; Tommy and Shanda Miller of Tuscarawas; Tyler and Adrien McKenzie of Gnadenhutten; and Cassandra and Lincoln Ryan of Port Washington.

He was a proud and loving grandfather to Layla and Ian Porter; Airic and Megan Alderman; Alec and Chloe Alderman; Colt McKenzie; Jaxson Patrino; and Mariah and Callen Ryan; and great-grandfather to Sophia, Cadence, Arria, and Drevena.

Tom is also survived by his sisters, Sandra and Donny Martucci and Melinda Rivera; his mother-in-law, Mildred Blackwell; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Robert L. Blackwell.

Of course, no list of Tom’s family would be complete without his beloved golden retriever, Rip, affectionately known as Tom’s “#1 child.”

Tom loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, boating, and golfing. An accomplished hunter, he was featured in Buckmasters magazine after harvesting what was recognized as the fourth-largest buck in Tuscarawas County history.

“Big Tom” was a fitting name for a man with such a big presence and an even bigger heart. His passing leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of those who loved him. There will undoubtedly be many moments when someone reaches for the phone, wishing they could make that first phone call to Tom one more time.

He loved without reservation, helped without hesitation, listened without judgment, and gave without keeping score.

Thomas Edward “Big Tom” Miller will be deeply missed, forever loved, and remembered by the countless people whose lives were better because he was in them.