Larry Jay Miller

Larry Jay Miller, 85, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed into his eternal home on February 15, 2022 at his home. His beloved dogs Gunther and Laila were at his side. Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Larry was born on September 10, 1936 in Enid, Oklahoma, to Jacob (Jake) and Callie (Jane) Stephens Miller. He spent an idyllic childhood on a farm in Oklahoma City and graduated in the 1954 class of Central High School. He moved on to Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical University and was among the first graduating class of the newly named Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and, in 1962, earned a graduate degree from Central State University.

A lifelong learner and educator, Larry taught in Oklahoma City schools from 1958-1965. He then moved to Iowa and later Missouri, where he taught and coached multiple sports from 1965-1977. He returned to Oklahoma in 1977, teaching and coaching for 5 years at Hulbert High School, 1 year at Mannford High School, 2 years at Guthrie Junior High School, and 13 years at Choctaw Junior High School. Even after his retirement in 1998, Larry served as a substitute teacher for 6 additional years. While coaching in Iowa, he was voted District Coach of the Year 6 times in football and 8 times in wrestling. He was selected District Teacher of the Year 4 times.

Larry was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and served as an elder in every church he attended. He greatly enjoyed teaching and participating in Sunday school classes, in addition to serving the church in many other capacities throughout his life. In Stillwater, he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, which brought him great fulfillment, joy, and fellowship.
His happiest times were spent with family and friends over many cups of coffee, discussing books, his garden, his dogs, and just being together.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David Miller and Stephen Miller. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Lynne Miller of Stillwater, OK. He is also survived by his nieces whom he dearly loved; Stephanie Andrews and husband Jim of Boerne, TX; Heather White and husband Terry of Bixby, OK; Jennifer Hoecker and husband Chad of Tulsa, OK; Phoebe Roth and husband John of Edmond, OK; and Heidi Stolz also of Edmond, OK.

Funeral services are planned for Monday, February 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 504 S. Knoblock St., Stillwater, OK 74074, with Pastor John Wackler officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13400 North Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK.

Memorial donations should be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund, at the church or through Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.