Karol Francis Miller

Karol graduated from Stephen F. Austin in Houston, Texas in 1947. He owned and operated Miller Drilling Company with his father Homer. In 1950 he was drafted to the Korean War where he rose to Sargent First Class and was leader of his platoon and in direct combat on the front lines. An eye injury took him off the front lines and then he was reassigned to Japan where he supervised constructions of new buildings. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

After being discharged Karol went on to become a professional drag racer, both building and racing his cars. From childhood he would tinker on engines and make a motor bike out of his bicycles and lawn mower engines! His love of working on engines and going fast turned into a celebrated racing career, where he set records at Bonneville Salt Flats, Daytona Beach and in 1959 he won the Michigan Nationals in Detroit. Other racers dreaded seeing Karol Miller and team on the roster as he almost always won! Karol never sought fame with his racing career and often left before the trophy ceremonies. He was an anomaly on the racing circuit and did it out of pure love of winning and going fast.

He met his bride, Linda Miller in 1963 and married in 1964. They welcomed their only child Susan Karol in 1971. After marrying, he decided to step away from racing and concentrate solely on building Miller Drilling Company which paid off as he was able to retire in 1980 at the age of 52. Karol was also an avid lover and watcher of trains. He fascination of trains started as a young boy. You would often find him chasing trains in the Feather River Canyon taking pictures and making friends with the engineers and crew. He never tired or could get enough of trains and in his words their “true magnificence.”

Karol is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Sue Brenner, grandsons Ethan (26) and Dillon (19) DiMarino and his son-in-law Chris Brenner. As an only child he was son to Homer and Marie Miller. Karol was deeply loved by his family and friends, truly admired by many and will be greatly missed. He was one of a kind.

A celebration of life for Karol will be held Monday, July 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628, followed by a reception from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.