Gerald L. “Jerry” Miller, 81, of Hewitt, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at a local hospice facility.
Funeral Service: 1PM Monday, December 18th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Steve Manson officiating.
Visitation: 2 to 4PM Sunday, December 17th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend, in Waco.
Jerry was born January 25, 1936 in Cooper to Greaver L. and Laura (Morgan) Miller. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1954 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from East Texas State College (now Texas A&M Commerce) in 1957 and was a member of the Tejas Fraternity. He graduated from Dallas Institute – Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1958. He received his funeral director license in 1958 and his embalmer license in 1959. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity.
Jerry’s working life was about serving others through funeral service. He worked as a funeral director at W.Y. Goff Funeral Home in Commerce, Franklin-Bartley Funeral Home in Lubbock, and Hampton-Vaughan Funeral Home in Wichita Falls from 1954 to 1963.
Jerry then became involved in mortuary education: (1963 to 1967)instructor at Dallas Institute – Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science; (1967 to 1970) Dean at Commonwealth College of Sciences, Houston; (1970 to 1971) President of The Bryman School in Houston; (1971 to 1987) Vice President of Professional Training Schools and Pierce Mortuary Colleges; (1987 to 1997) President of Pierce Mortuary Colleges and Professional Training Schools, Member- Board of Trustees of Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Member- Board of Director- Professional Training Schools and Pierce Chemical/Royal Bond.
Jerry then entered the sales field. From 1997 to 2000, he was sales representative for Pierce Chemical/Royal Bond for part of Texas, and member, Board of Trustees- Dallas Institute of Funeral Service; and from 2001 to 2008, Jerry was a sales representative for The Dodge Company, Inc.
Jerry’s memberships and accomplishments include: 60 year member- Master Mason (Hella Temple Shrine); Fifty Year Recognition as Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in 2008; Texas Funeral Directors Association, Texas Funeral Supply Sales Club; First United Methodist Church , Waco; served as Chairman of Programs and Education Committee – TFDA; Funeral Supply Salesman of the Year in 1988 selected by Kansas Funeral Directors Association; Member, Board of Director- Kansas Funeral Supply Sales Club (1985 to 1997); President of Kansas Funeral Supply Sales Club in 1988; South Central Texas Funeral Directors Association Salesman of the Year in 1999; named Funeral Supplier of the Year in 2000 by Texas Funeral Directors Association; and Certificate of Special Recognition from the Texas Funeral Service Commission in 1997.
Survivors include wife, Sue (Vandever) Miller; daughter, Jeri Thompson and husband, David; sons, Jeff Miller, and Jay Miller and wife, Melody; grandchildren, Justin Miller, and Courtney Miller; brother, Jim Miller and wife, Linda; and Dovie Burrow and family, the Vandever Family, and other relatives and friends.
Memorial Contributions: Central Texas Humane Society, Waco.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Sue & Kids:
I was so sorry to hear about Jerry this morning. He was so instrumental in my success at PMC and PTS. I enjoyed so much working with him especially the years we were together in Dallas, and he made playing golf fun! He did so much to further funeral service and funeral service education. No one has duplicated his success in that area. He will be missed by many!
To Sue, Jay, Jeff and Jeri Ann, and the grand childeren: MIke and I send out heartfelt thoughts and prayers to you for the loss of Jerry. I feel privileged that I was his secretary for many years and got to know all of you. Jerry was a great person in funeral service and will be missed. He really cared about all of us in the Pierce Mortuary College family. I will miss him but know he is in a better place. May God wrap his arms of Love, Strength and Comfort around each of you.
Jerry was a great guy! His contributions to funeral service and funeral service education were incredible. He taught me many life lessons as he was someone I always have looked up to. I will never forget, Jerry. My very best to Sue and family for a true gentleman with a life well lived.
Mrs. Miller, Jay, Jeri and Jeff, I loved reading about Mr. Miller’s life and all the ways he helped others! We’ll have you in our prayers for peace and comfort.