Cousin Mike Pollock, 71, dies in Beaumont, Texas

We're saddened by news that cousin Mike Pollock died on Monday, September 27 in Beaumont, Texas.   That's Mike and his wife Barbara above – in happier times – on an Alaskan voyage back in 2006.

Like many immigrant families that settled in the heartland, Mike's maternal grandparents, Pete and Dora Miller, raised a good-sized family – only to have several of their children and grandchildren leave their small Nebraska village home to find new lives in Texas, Washington, California, Kentucky, and other far away places.

Mike's mother, Pauline Miller was the first of Pete and Dora's children to be born in Whitney, Nebraska – and one of the first to leave Whitney, finding her way to Texas, where she would marry Olen Pollock in 1948.  Michael Lynn was born April 15, 1950 in Houston, but would spend most of his years in the Beaumont and Vidor area.

With Miller descendants scattered across the country, many cousins grew up never really knowing each other, except for those who lived in their state or region.  We suspect that more than a few cousins never met one another.

Here is a link to the Michael Lynn Pollock, Sr. obituary that appeared in the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper on October 2, 2021.

We were fortunate to meet and visit with Mike Pollock a time or two – not exactly and close relationship – but one we recall fondly.  We understand that he was plagued with heart troubles for many years.  He persevered, but finally was taken from us last week. 

There's no way to effectively encapsulate one's life through mere words, but we're compelled to share information about which others may not know.

Mike started his career as a machinist sweeping out a machine shop and learning the business from the ground floor.  He would eventually own his own business, A-1 Machines in Beaumont. 

He enjoyed boating and owned them over the years, taking them out for a bit of fishing and relaxation.

Mike was a self-taught guitarist and learned to "play by ear," and demonstrated an aptitude for music.  We're told he even collected guitars, as one might expect of someone who enjoys music.

He had an interest in aviation and took flying lessons.  After soloing, he took wife Barbara aloft with him!

His real accomplishments, of course, are the lives he touched over his71 years.  Family.  Friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Pollock family.

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NOTE:  Thanks to cousin Judy Callaway for sharing some of the information contained in this story.  For a few more photos of the Pollock family – and many other Miller cousins and relatives, we invite you to visit our MILLER FAMILY GALLERY.

  

How Time Flies! A 5-Generation Photo

Alas, we have no date or location on this photograph, but at least all persons in the photo are identified!  Youngest is the lad held in the arms of his great-great grandmother, Charlotte (Flock) Miller.  The baby boy is Dylan Van Voorhis.  Others, Right-to-Left are G-G-Grandmother Miller, G-Grandmother Charlotte Miller, Jean (Miller) Roark, Grandfather Kerry Roark, and mother Heather (Roark) Van Voorhis.  Whew!  Hope all of that information is correct.  

Like this image, we have several photos within our Miller Family Gallery that need a date, or names, or location – or all of the above!  Your help would be very much appreciated!  You'll find this image and many more in the Miller Family Gallery. 

Another snapshot from years gone by...

 Marie Miller Derrick likely took this snapshot of husband Bill and two cute little girls – daughter Shirley Derrick at left and her cousin Linetha Miller on the right.  There's no date on the photo, but we're supposing it was about 1947-48.  Looks like they'd been practicing some "jump rope."  Alas, in 1949, young Shirley and her neighborhood buddy, Sandy Rankin, drowned in an accident at Whitney Lake.