Gary Robert Miller, 66, a retired State Farm insurance agent from Wisconsin passed away April 9, 2013 in Henderson, Nevada. He was born March 19, 1947, in Waukegan, Illinois, and was a Veteran of the United States Army. Gary is survived by his wife Karen and daughters Kathryn Schmitt, (Todd Budnik) and Dawn (Dave) Noble and grandchildren Mackenzie Schmitt, Spencer Schmitt, Maggie Noble, and Lulu Noble.
Karen Miller:
Gary has always been the most devoted husband and father I could ever have asked for. Gary and I met finally in my one year at college, Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Come to find out we went to the same high school, same year of high school graduation and knew a lot of the same people. He even dated one of my best friends from school. So when we met, it was “meant to be.”
We have had a most wonderful life together which has now been cut short. I don't think either of us has had any regrets on how we spent this wonderful life, other than it has been too short. We have two beautiful daughters, Kathryn and Dawn, and four brilliant and talented grandchildren. Kathryn's daughter Mackenzie came to us in 1995 and we spent four years getting to know this first grandchild. Mackenzie has the “Miller” love of cooking which Gary and Dawn have also cultivated. Then Kathryn's second child, Spencer, came along in 1999 and was the first boy we've had in our family who became a great fisherman and friend to his Grandpa Miller. Spencer is a most generous and loving grandson who loves to call us up just to check on how we're doing. Our daughter Dawn married Dave Noble in 1997 and has given us two wonderful granddaughters in Maggie (2001) and Lulu (2002). These two girls are as precious as all our grandchildren. They introduced their Grandpa Miller to their joys of horseback riding and competition in this sport. These two girls have endeared themselves to both Gary and myself and we wouldn't have had it any other way.
As a married couple in August of 1968 we were anxious to start our life together which we did in full force. We have never done anything half way – it has always been “balls out.” Our travels have delighted us over the years – Las Vegas, San Francisco, Massachusetts, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida (with Mickey Mouse and the beaches of Marco Island), Australia, New Zealand, the Mediterranean, Rome and Italy. I love to cruise and so did Gary but he preferred the river cruise because you are right in the heart of the town when you dock. Gary loved working for State Farm Insurance but really loved the world of First Day Covers and making a deal any time he could. He was a great provider for our family and lived life to the very fullest. In 2012 he finally got both knees replaced and we were looking forward to traveling to China next fall. But that is not to be.
Gary surprised me for my 65th birthday with a 1965 Ford Mustang – what a beauty of a car. Gary was always surprising me with gifts and was a most generous and loving man. He is also the most honest man I have ever met.
Gary and I retired from State Farm in 2003 and moved to Henderson, Nevada, in January of 2006 when he promised to meet and make friends for both of us. He has certainly made good on that promise as well as finding us a home in Nevada to suit our love of Las Vegas. He always said we moved so that we could visit our money that we left behind on so many visits to Las Vegas. Gary's zest for life, golf, children, grandchildren, friends and me will never diminish in our hearts – he's a “good man, Charlie Brown” and don't you ever doubt that. The love of my life may be absent in body but his spirit burns bright in my heart. Thank you for being my ever lovin' husband for all these 44 plus years, Gary. We have had a great run and a most wonderful, charmed life.
Kathy Miller:
What can I say about my dad? He taught me a lot of different things. The one thing that has lasted from my childhood to my adult life is fishing. I remember when we lived in Sheboygan, WI. He would take me to the pier by Lake Michigan at night. I asked him what are we going to catch at night dad? He told me little fish. I said who wants little fish, and you know we didn't bring our poles. Well he told me we didn't need poles. I went along anyways and didn't question because he was my dad. So we get to the pier he had a big net a bucket and a big light. Now I am really confused.. Well low and behold he shined the light in the water and all these little fish called Smelt came to the surface and he caught them in his net. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.. The next big fishing trip I remember is that he took me out on his friend's boat off of Gils Rock in Door County. I caught a 31# King Salmon on a fly rod of all things..
I have been all over with my dad fishing from Alaska to Costa Rica and everywhere in between. He took me to Canada on a fly- in fishing trip. You get flown to an island and you're there for about a week. You have to bring all your supplies with you. There was no running water, indoor plumbing or shower. Now mind you I was 16 at the time. We went with his best friend and his son. I loved it. Well When I was coming into the cabin I shut the door and his favorite pole was in the door by mistake and it broke. I was horrified. His friend gave me a bit of advise, "when you tell your dad you broke his pole you better have a glass of scotch with a couple ice cubes in it, it wont be so bad then." Well of course I took his advise. I came down to the fish cleaning station drink in hand. I gave him the glass and he says to me “what did you break?” Now how did he know I broke anything? I told him and he said thats why I bring extra. I have fished for many things from small bass to the big sail fish and everything in between. I would not trade those memories for anything. He has passed some of his fishing knowledge down to my son. He has taken my son on some pretty exciting fishing trips. I will miss my fishing buddy.
Me and my dad did something called Indian Princess's when I was little it was a father/daughter thing only which was way cool. We had a Tribe called the Mohawks. My dad's Indian name was Hawkeye and mine was Running Deer. We would go on overnite trips to Phantom Lake in Wisconsin during the winter and have snow snake races. They were long wooden poles that we decorated and made into snakes and raced them to see who would win. We would also pick activities to do to as a tribe. Well I suggested we go rollerskating so we did. Well my dad broke his ankle on that outing. I still feel awful about that. But we always had a good time no matter what we did.
My dad has always been there for me no matter what. He has supported everything I have ever wanted to do or have done. Apparently he was most proud of the fact that I volunteer in my community as a Fire Fighter EMT.
I love that fact that he spent so much time with my son. He is very lucky to have the great memories that I do with my father. I will miss my dad each and everyday. Love you dad...;
Dawn Noble:
My Dad taught me how to find love. He was so good to my mother and I think that is why I never had a boyfriend for very long until I found my husband. My Dad took her everywhere and shared everything with her. They worked together just like I do with my husband. My Dad bought her the sweetest presents and gave her the sappiest cards at Christmas and Birthdays.
I remember wondering what great things Mom would get from Dad. He always delivered and I remember thinking “that is the kind of husband I would like”. My dad was the head of the family and we had Sunday dinners together when we all lived in the same area. Cooking was a love we both shared. I would get phone calls from him wondering how to do this or that and we would talk at length about a method or technique. I bought my dad lots of cookbooks and he would come visit and we would cook things together. I use some of his recipes in my work - he had some really great ones.
My father was a great businessman and I will miss our long talks about business. He has given me such great advice about so many things and I won't have that person to turn to if I need direction on some sticky situation about work. My dad was so supportive of all my choices. He invested in our first restaurant. He and Mom even became prep help before we opened in the mornings. Often coming in for lunch and talking about the business and of course sampling everything. When we decided to move again he invested in our business. I would not be where I am today without his support. He helped us decide where to put the money and talked at length to us about all the insurance we would need and took care of handling those things for us. My dad loved to outfit all his girls with jewelry, he had a hand in all the wedding rings and had impeccable taste and was a savvy negotiator. My dad was a great grandpa to my girls and he wanted to help my girls in any way he could. When they were ready for their first horse Dad said “Well I would like to buy that for them.” So he did and we still have her; she is my youngest daughter's horse and she couldn't love her more. Without dads generosity and kindness we would not have been able to afford her. My father made a point to spend holidays with the whole family and have a good time. He loved cards and I will never be able to play cards without thinking of him.
We played cards my whole life;he even taught us how to gamble and win while we were doing it. He took me to Vegas when I turned 21 and showed me how to paint the town - that was fun. Dad liked to party and have a good time. We are both good at that. He was always the life of the party and my parents liked to throw parties. He taught me how to throw a good party and now that is what I do for a living. Thanks to dad I know when people need drinks, how to spot trouble and how to help make things go smooth. I have spent many nights hanging out and having drinks and playing cards with my dad. We had a lot of great talks about many things; I will miss that about him. He cared for all of us so much and was always taking care of us up to the very end. My dad was a fun loving guy who was always honest with you. If you asked him about something he would give you the truth. Even if it hurt your feelings, it was the truth which is such a valuable quality and quite rare in a person. But that was Gary and all that knew him would tell you that. My dad had so many great qualities that I loved and valued and I will miss everyone of them. I know he will watch over all of us forever and stay near to make sure all of his girls are “otay buckwheat.” I love you dad and I will miss your physical presence in my life but I know you will be watching us and laughing and joining us whenever there is fun to be had. Here's to you. Love you always, Dawn
Since a final love of Gary's life was always his dogs, most recently Ollie, if you wish to donate to a memorial for Gary, please contact your local humane society.
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