On Sunday, September 29, 2019, Nicholas James Miller passed away at the age of 14 after 20 months of treatment for leukemia.
Nick was born on November 16, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Legacy Preparatory Academy and South Davis Junior High. During his cancer treatment Nick continued his education through the Davis Digital Learning program. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was ordained to the office of Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on February 1, 2018 and with his diagnosis came a treatment plan that involved spending over 130 nights in the hospital between February and August. In the Summer of 2018 he received a bone marrow transplant from his younger brother Simon. One year from his original diagnosis his cancer returned and more rounds of chemotherapy were administered. By May it was clear that his cancer was winning the battle but that didn't stop Nick from having a miracle Summer by spending time with friends and family. To the surprise of many, he chose to go back to school at South Davis Junior High for one class each day to spend time with his friends and to continue to study art and design.
His passion for electronic games started before his cancer diagnosis and grew throughout his treatment. Nick always dreamed of having a specialized gaming PC and Make-a-Wish of Utah made that happen. During the hardest days of his bone marrow transplant he spent hours researching on the internet what would become his perfect PC. Make-a-Wish made that dream come true.
Nick's other passion was art -- typically digital art but also sketching in one of many art pads that were never far from him. Many people came to know Nick through his sketchinnick account on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sketchinnick/).
Nick loved hanging out with friends and meeting new ones, sleeping in late (what teenager doesn't), hot chocolate, and sharing meme's and dog videos -- especially with his mom. While being treated at Primary Children's Medical Center he was known for his 6'4" stature, the fun socks he always had on, his artwork, the good food he had brought in each day, and his binging of TV shows.
He is survived by his parents Matt and Stacey Miller, his older brother Andrew (AJ), and younger brother Simon, grandparents Terry and Kathleen Thornock and Annie Miller Romero. His aunts and uncles were Chris and Tiffany Thornock, Tom and Stephanie Miller, and Jeremy and Julie Thornock. His cousins are Jameson Thornock, Susannah Thornock, Sophie Thornock, Josie Thornock, August Thornock, Cora Thornock, Alex Miller, and Zach Miller.
We would like to thank the many friends and family that have supported Nick and his family, Make-a-Wish Utah for making his dream come true, and the employees and management of Instructure for their support. We would also like to extend special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff of Primary Children's Hospital for their expert medical care and endless compassion while treating Nick.
Nick had a couple of requests for how he would like his life to be celebrated. Friends and family are invited to donuts and hot chocolate at the Miller home on Friday, October 4 from 5:30 to 7:30. Dress informal, wearing fun socks. It will be held outside so dress appropriately for the weather. The address is 567 West 2900 South, Bountiful, UT 84010.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 12:30-1:30 at the Val Verda 9th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 3317 South 800 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Fun socks aren't typical at a funeral however Nick has requested that so break a social norm if you plan on attending.
If you would like to send flowers to his funeral he has requested that the colors be bold and fun. Pastels while beautiful weren't really his style.
