Michael Null-Miller

Michael Null-Miller, of Arlington TX, passed away peacefully on May 14th at a local hospital following a brief illness. He was 85 years old. He and his wife of 61 years, Ellen Null-Miller, have been residents of Arlington TX since 1994. Michael was born March 12, 1934, in Mangum, OK. He was the oldest of the three children of Merlen C. and Virginia Miller. Michael was a member of Oklahoma City Capitol Hill High School Class of 1952 and a graduate of Oklahoma State University, earning a BS in Engineering. He met his wife, Ellen, at OSU and they married in 1958. They had two children, Russell and Jennifer. Michael was a member of the Naval Reserves SeaBees for many years, including a civilian post at a base in England. He joined the Naval Reserves and reached the rank Lieutenant Commander. During his career his family moved to the Boston area, from 1964-71 while Michael earned an MBA from Harvard University and worked for the Dept. of Transportation. They later moved back to Oklahoma and Michael transferred to the Federal Aviation Admin. and he earned an MS in Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.Michael left the FAA in 1982 to pursue other opportunities and worked at a variety of companies in various technical capacities. In addition to his work as a mechanical engineer, he frequently taught night classes in engineering and related subjects at OSU Tech and Langston University. Michael was an avid civil rights and equal rights for women activist. He devoted countless hours of his life volunteering and advocating for equality for everyone. He was a member in multiple organizations, including the National Organization for Women (NOW), Texas Black Democrats, and was a charter member of NBCFAE. For many years he worked as a polling judge for his area and right up to his death continued to take part in politics and issues he cared deeply about. He and Ellen used every opportunity to encourage young people to register to vote and participate in their government. While his children were young, Michael was an active parent who coached many teams and attended every event. He was very proud of his wife and children's accomplishments and later his grandchildren and their activities and lives. It was important to him to be connected to his family and extended family. He enjoyed family gatherings and events and sharing stories of his life growing up in Oklahoma as well as remembering stories of his parents and grandparents. Throughout his life, Michael had a curiosity about all things, particularly about other people and their different backgrounds and experiences.For many people in the Arlington area, he was the frequent older customer who just wanted to be called “Michael," always had a friendly demeanor, took the time to learn their names and showed interest in their lives. He acknowledged every worker and many have told us they will miss the warm chats they had with him. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Merlen and Virginia Miller, and one grandson, Justin. He is survived by his wife Ellen Null-Miller of Arlington, TX. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Linda and Travis Slaton of Westville, OK, and Larry and Charlene Miller of Edmond, OK.; his son, Russell Merlen Miller, and his wife Lynne of Arlington, TX, and their children, David and his wife Siobhaun, Andrew, and Nicholas; and his daughter, Jennifer Miller, and her husband Jon Tichota of Skokie, IL, and their children, Juliana and Lukas. He is also survived by numerous cousins and many nieces and nephews. Michael cared for animals, especially his and Ellen's beloved dog of 19 years, Sasha. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Shontale Holloway Foundation of Hope through Richter Animal Hospital in Arlington, TX. It provides resources for pet owners who could not otherwise pay for services for their pets.

Michael Null-Miller

March 12, 1934 - May 14, 2019