Jack A. (Uncle Jack) Miller was born July 11th, 1929 in Ft Worth, Tx. He passed away at 2:15 a.m., October 12th, 2013 in Brownwood Regional Medical Center. He was a member of the Brownwood First United Methodist Church, and The Victory Bible Class. Jack was 84 years old.
Jack’s parents, Harry A. Miller, Sr. and E. Lois Callaway Miller, of Brownwood, preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Harry A. Miller, Jr. and Nancy Biles Miller of Brownwood…his sister, Kay Miller Dodds of El Paso…his nephew, Randy Miller and wife, Suetta of Cypress…his niece, Laurie Miller Qunell of Brownwood…Michael Qunell of Brownwood, and nieces, Karen Dodds Bayer and husband, Brian of Wolfforth, Kathy Dodds Herrell and husband, Tim of Ransom Canyon, and Keribeth Dodds Simmons and husband, Mike of Santa Anna…great nephews, Chris Miller, Austin Miller, Chad Bayer, Adam Bayer, Jason Tankersley, Hunter Herrell, Cooper Herrell, Jason Qunell, Dillan Simmons, Michael Bell, Cody Day, Chad Wheeler, Eugene Garza and Jack Yates…great nieces, Catherine Qunell, Caitlin Day, Lindsey Bell, Ami Wheeler, Amber Yates, Kathy Garza, Sarah Bayer, Traci Bayer, Sarah Tankersley, Keri Qunell, Cassie Miller and Leann Simmons…great great nephews, Beckett Bayer, Bo Bayer, Cameron Wheeler, Aiden Garza, Nathan Tankersley, Lance Tankersley and Brodey Guerrero…great great nieces, Kelsey Miller, Kayla Miller, Avery Qunell, Coulter Day, Lily Tankersley, Kaylee Barrick, Abbi Dyer and Landry Wheeler.
Jack attended public schools in Waco and Ft. Worth graduating from Ft. Worth’s Paschal High School in May of 1947. He attended SMU in ’47, and TCU in 1948. In 1949 he took a job with the General Electric Company and worked in their retail outlet until the fall of 1950. That fall he was drafted into the Army. He was assigned to Fort Wolters where his math skills were discovered, and he was sent to Leadership School, Officers Candidate School, and trained to serve as a Forward Observer in the U.S. Army Artillery. He arrived in Korea a brand-new Second Lieutenant, where he served as a Forward Observer, directing fire for an artillery battery until 1953. He returned to Ft. Worth, honorably discharged, unharmed and possessing a Bronze Star for bravery. He ended his Army career as a Captain, but received a much greater honor while serving in Korea. On April 3rd, 1953, Jack became “Uncle Jack”. His commitment was to be a part of the lives of whatever number of nephews and nieces came his way. As of April of this year, and the arrivals of Landry Wheeler and Bo Bayer, Jack’s treasured nephews, nieces, greats and great greats total 51! The Miller Family is here to confirm every child should have an “Uncle Jack”!
After returning to Ft. Worth, Jack went back to work for G.E. However, after a few months, decided to move to Brownwood to be near family. That decision was a good one because Jack and Brownwood were a perfect fit! His first job was in the advertising department at the Brownwood Bulletin and Jack was a born salesman. He never met a stranger….he met friends, and he always remembered your name.
1959 launched a whirlwind of change for Jack. He became active in working with the youth at First United Methodist Church, joined the Brownwood Jaycees, served as club president…area vice president, and coached the Little League Jaycee Giants. He also worked as an assistant to Land Commissioner, Bill Alcorn, and in 1959, Jack was elected President of the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce. He resigned his position with Alcorn to be a full-time president for his one year term. Among his many duties as State Jaycee President, he was often asked to be the speaker for various political and civic functions.
In 1960, Jack began managing a family owned western wear and shoe repair store located on Baker Street. He also continued to be active working with the youth in his church, coaching Little League, and adding officiating football and basketball games to his busy schedule. His continued community volunteer service, and love for Brownwood, lead to him serving as a member of the Brownwood Coliseum Planning Committee.
1965 would bring major changes in Jack’s life, and a move to Dallas. A move that would be the beginning of a 30 year career and the distinction of being one of the most prominent and important men in the saddle and tack (bridles, bits, etc.) industry. Jack worked for Potts Longhorn Company in sales, catalog assembly and credit management. During the 80’s he acquired an interest in Mustang Mfg. Company located in Van Alstyne. The company also manufactured and sold saddle tack. Although Jack sold his interest in Mustang several years later, he continued his association with them in credit management until his death.
In 1993 Jack returned to the home he built on Lake Brownwood to take care of his mother. He was very involved in the building and activities of Lake Brownwood United Methodist Church. After his mother’s death in 1995, he relocated to an apartment in Brownwood and again became very involved with First United Methodist Church. Jack’s love for his Heavenly Father began when he gave his heart to Him in a small Methodist Church in Fort Worth when he was 13 years old. That love grew with each year of his life. When something needed to be done at First United Methodist, Jack was there to help.
God blessed Jack with a wonderful personality, a great sense of humor, amazing business savy, and an unselfish servant’s heart. He was an inspiration and friend to all who knew him ranging from individuals destined to live in the White House, to the six year old about to play his first Little League game. His passion to encourage young people changed many young lives, and the hearts of many parents. God used His willing servant, Jack, to preach when pastor friends needed him to fill in…He used him to teach Sunday School…to serve on many church committees, and to be a part of an activity that meant so much to him. Jack loved every moment he spent helping with First Methodist’s Burger Bar. The Burger Bar ministry not only fed teenage stomachs…the men and women who teamed up to welcome many young people to lunch, served large portions of God’s love to kids hungry to know about Jesus. Jack worked in many areas of the Burger Bar, but his main job was to greet the kids and make them feel comfortable….and yes…they all called him “Uncle Jack”.
Uncle Jack left his heart prints on all of his family and friends, and a legacy of love and integrity for his nieces and nephews. We all want to thank Laurie for the extra time we had with our brother and uncle because of the loving choice she made to take such good care of him.
Yes, the Miller Family is here to confirm that every child should have an “Uncle Jack”.
Memorial services for Jack Miller, 84, of Brownwood will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood.
A time of celebrating Jack’s life will be held following the memorial service at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home.
He died Saturday, October 12, 2013, at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center.
