Posted 10:27 pm Saturday, February 16, 2013
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Harry Miller
Harry Eugene Miller was born Jan. 26, 1927, to Jessie and Vernon Miller in Brown County, Ind. Harry “Gene” “Riff” Miller grew up in Martinsville, Ind., where he graduated from high school prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945.
Following his service time Harry enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University where he lettered in basketball and graduated with a B.S. degree. In 1951 Harry began a 37-year basketball-coaching career that started in House, N.M. This included 34 years as a head basketball coach at six colleges — Western State Colorado where he earned a master’s degree in secondary administration, Fresno State University, Eastern New Mexico University, North Texas University, Wichita State University and Stephen F. Austin State University, and along the way compiled a total of 534 wins.
Harry’s record included 11 post-season tournament appearances; six NCAA appearances — four at Fresno State NCAA II, one at Wichita State and one NIT at Stephen F. Austin; five NAIA appearances — two at Stephen F. Austin, three at Eastern New Mexico with a National Championship in 1969 and a third-place finish in 1970, plus numerous coaching honors.
Harry and LaNora (Tillie) Graham were married Aug. 12, 1951, in Portales, N.M., and she survives him. They have three sons, Bob and Tom of Nacogdoches and Gary of Tyler. Harry is also survived by his son’s wives, Ardan, Patty and Dorota; granddaughters, Claire Miller, Isabella and Sophie Miller, stepgrandchildren Ember Ashby, Will Ashby and his wife Anna; and three great-grandchildren, Bryana and Nolan Ashby and Emerson Carden.
Visitation will be at Laird Funeral Home, 2116 South St., Nacogdoches, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The funeral will be Monday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. at North Street Church of Christ, 3914 North St., Nacogdoches.
Gifts may be made to the Harry Miller Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association. P.O. Box 6096, Nacogdoches, 75962.
Following his service time Harry enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University where he lettered in basketball and graduated with a B.S. degree. In 1951 Harry began a 37-year basketball-coaching career that started in House, N.M. This included 34 years as a head basketball coach at six colleges — Western State Colorado where he earned a master’s degree in secondary administration, Fresno State University, Eastern New Mexico University, North Texas University, Wichita State University and Stephen F. Austin State University, and along the way compiled a total of 534 wins.
Harry’s record included 11 post-season tournament appearances; six NCAA appearances — four at Fresno State NCAA II, one at Wichita State and one NIT at Stephen F. Austin; five NAIA appearances — two at Stephen F. Austin, three at Eastern New Mexico with a National Championship in 1969 and a third-place finish in 1970, plus numerous coaching honors.
Harry and LaNora (Tillie) Graham were married Aug. 12, 1951, in Portales, N.M., and she survives him. They have three sons, Bob and Tom of Nacogdoches and Gary of Tyler. Harry is also survived by his son’s wives, Ardan, Patty and Dorota; granddaughters, Claire Miller, Isabella and Sophie Miller, stepgrandchildren Ember Ashby, Will Ashby and his wife Anna; and three great-grandchildren, Bryana and Nolan Ashby and Emerson Carden.
Visitation will be at Laird Funeral Home, 2116 South St., Nacogdoches, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The funeral will be Monday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. at North Street Church of Christ, 3914 North St., Nacogdoches.
Gifts may be made to the Harry Miller Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association. P.O. Box 6096, Nacogdoches, 75962.
