Obituary of Larry F. Miller

Oolitic Larry F. Miller, 76, of Oolitic, died at 3:25 pm peacefully at his home with his family on Thursday, November 8, 2012. Born September 19, 1936 in Bloomington, he was the son of Leonard F. and Nellie (Rogers) Miller. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Curt and Melissa (Rogers) Covey after the death of his mother in 1937. He married Carole Jenkins on July 19, 1957 at the Free Methodist Church in Bedford. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War and was a member of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. He owned and operated Millers Sunoco and Millers Auto Sales at 5th and Lincoln in Bedford. After returning from the Army in 1956, he started racing jalopy type cars for his uncle at local tracks in Bloomington and Mitchell. Most of the cars were anything from a 32 Ford to a 44 Ford, and all were coupes. He then went on to build his own cars with his father-in-law, a 49 Ford with a Hudson engine. Later they built a 32 Chevy. After that, he started racing a Ford super modified. In 1964 he started racing super modified sprint cars in which he drove until 1977 winning many track championships. He dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving him are his wife, Carole Miller of Oolitic; daughters, Debbie Elkins and husband, Mike of Houston, TX, Sheryl Quintana of Bedford; sons, Keith Miller and wife, Kim of Baytown, TX and Greg Miller of Bedford; seven grandchildren, Lori Miller Emmons (Michael), Daniel Quintana, Melissa Quintana, Jessica Miller, Jennifer Miller, Rebecca Miller and Haley Miller; four great grandchildren, Cody and Ellie Emmons, Andrea Miller and Hunter Coyle; one sister, Thelma Rice (Mel); many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, two brothers, Robert and Carroll Miller. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Monday, November 12th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Johnny Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Patton Hill Cemetery with military rites accorded at the graveside by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 11th and from 8:00 am until the hour of service on Monday, November 12th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.