Private Funeral Wednesday for Ex-MLB Pitcher Justin Miller of Palm Harbor

Friends and family of Ex-MLB pitcher Justin Miller, 35, of Palm Harbor will remember him at a private service at Clearwater's Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home on July 3.

Miller is survived by Jessica, who is his wife of 15 years, and the couple's two sons Joey, age 18 and Johnnie, age 7. 

Miller was found dead at his Palm Harbor home on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Cristen Rensel. 

Deputies responded to the home at 10:45 p.m. An open death investigation is underway. The case was referred to detectives after Miller's death, which is considered standard procedure, according to Rensel.

"It doesn't appear suspicious," Rensel said of the former MLB player's death.

Miller's widow Jessica reached out to family and friends on the Facebook page of Miller's Legacy Baseball, a training facility that Miller opened in Clearwater after his MLB retirement in 2010.

"Thank you to all our family and friends for thinking of us at this difficult time. On Wednesday night we lost a wonderful husband and father. His passing was unexpected and we will continue to pray for serenity and comfort for our sons and the rest of our family," she wrote.

"Justin will be remembered by his friends as someone who cared deeply about others and always tried to smile, even in light of adversity. He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, son, and sibling," said his obituary, which was published on the Sylvan Abbey website Monday, July 1. 

Miller was represented by the Sosnick Cobbe Sports agency, which commented about his death on social media.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the family of former RHP Justin Miller, who has passed away. Justin was 35-years-old and a loyal friend. Justin was extremely proud of his wife and two boys. Please pray for his family and loved ones," the agency said on Twitter.

Miller played in the major leagues for seven years on the Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miller was known for the colorful tattoos on his arms. In 2004, he was told by Major League Baseball officials to wear a long-sleeved shirt underneath his uniform when he played, because players at bat found his tattoos to be distracting. This is often referred to as the "Justin Miller Rule", according to the sportingnews.com.

The public is invited to sign the online guestbook for Justin Miller and share a memory on Sylvan Abbey's website.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to "The J.J. Miller College Fund" at any Wells Fargo bank. Miller is also survived by his parents Joe and Mona Miller of Torrence, CA; and a brother Corey, of Torrence, CA. A second memorial service will be held in California.

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