Miller leaves 'legacy of a life well-lived'

Published: Sunday, March 1, 2009 2:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

It fluttered down as if on cue, the lone piece of confetti, slipping from the rafters of EnergySolutions Arena just as the pallbearers stood Saturday to help Larry H. Miller take final leave of the stadium he built and loved. As if in poignant witness to the victory of a life well lived, the confetti danced past the silenced jumbo screen, gave a nod to the uncharacteristically noiseless crowd and landed, smoothly, on the Utah Jazz insignia painted on the wooden boards of the court.

Larry H. Miller may have lost the battle with type 2 diabetes when he died Feb. 20, but, friends and family reiterated at his funeral Saturday, he "won the war."

"He felt it was his responsibility to do as much good as his assets would allow," said Carisa Miller, who started off her grandfather's funeral by reading his obituary to a crowd of several hundred. "He coined and lived by the phrase, 'Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world.' "

As she recounted his life, Carisa Miller made no mention of the world-class racetrack, the motor sports park, or the NBA franchise her grandfather constructed during his lifetime. She didn't talk about his 42 car dealerships, his movie production company, his restaurants or even his philanthropic organizations. Instead, Carisa Miller — as well as subsequent speakers — called to mind the more personal triumphs in Larry Miller's family life.

He married his high school sweetheart, she said. He had five children, 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He loved them, and they loved him, too.

Story continues below

"I love my grandpa because he is so good," said one of the grandsons, straining to reach the podium set up temporarily where the Utah Jazz basketball hoop usually stands. Other grandchildren recounted memories of fishing at the family lodge and drives out to Miller Sports Park in Larry Miller's beloved Ford 427 Cobra.

"He was a man who lived well, laughed often and loved much," said Karen Miller, his only daughter. "He gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children."

Brian Miller, one of Larry's four sons, portrayed his father as a "very simple man who had a simple worldview."

"He would always tell us, 'Life is simple. It comes down to the good guys versus the bad guys,' " he said. "I believe my father was one of the good guys."

Apparently, business and community leaders statewide share the sentiment.

Recent comments

Mr. Miller was a great example to all. Us in Southern Utah are...

Jean | March 3, 2009 at 6:50 a.m.

Rest in peace Mr. Miller

Joe | March 2, 2009 at 11:43 p.m.

i probably would'nt know or be interested about Utah if it werent for...

j - philippines | March 2, 2009 at 8:46 p.m.

Image

Ushers hand out programs as people enter EnergySolutions Arena for the funeral of Jazz owner Larry H. Miller on Saturday. Miller died Feb. 20.

previousnext

Latest comments

Letters: Liberal because LDS

It's so absurd to say that taxes are the same as stealing. And you want...

What a bunch of crap. Why do you think that only Christian people shop...

George lost in rivalry hatefest

Why, because he spoke his heat? Because he told the truth? I take it when...

I don't get it. Permit and tag fees seem to always go up, but hunting days...

Do you really think foreign travel will be a thing of the past? Are you...

Blessed are the conservatives?

Liberal or byassed translations is why I took Biblical Greek courses. I have...

Jazz outrun Pacers

"Legend" thats you John....That would be a great trade better than any I can...

Higher school math requirements?

If you(r)kid is so smart, do you realize that any math class taken before the...

Jazz outrun Pacers

My first reaction to the uniforms was that the Jazz front office went nuts...

Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing

After reading a dozen or more of these comments the parable of the "Wheat and...

Advertisements