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In Memorium
We are sad to announce the
passing of Coach Jerry Miller
Coach Jerry Miller, 69, was
born April 24, 1939 in Blue Ridge, Texas and passed away
on August, 24 2008 in Richardson, Texas surrounded by
his family. Jerry's survivors include his loving wife of
forty years, Jo Ann Miller, his sons, Mason Miller,
Brandon Miller and his wife Emily and one granddaughter
Vaughn Miller. Jerry is also survived by his sister,
Lynda Dailey and her husband George, his aunt, Jackie
Wilder, brothers-in-law, Dr. Ray Landers and Charles
Cabaniss, niece, Kristin Cabaniss, nephew, Kevin
Cabaniss, and a number of cousins. Jerry graduated from
McKinney High School where he was a two year football
letterman, Tri-Captain of the team, and was named to the
all-district team his senior season. After high school,
he attended John Tarleton College in Stephenville where
he was a two- year letterman for the Plowboys football
team. He completed his college career at North Texas
State University receiving both his B.S. and M.Ed.
degrees. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity at
NTSU. After college, Jerry began 41 years of service in
the Richardson Independent School District where his
passion and heart led him to impact every life he
touched, whether they were athletes, students, teachers
or administrators that served under or alongside Jerry;
his gift of influenc- ing young men and women to work
hard for their dreams con- tinues to have an impact on
the students and faculty of the RISD. Jerry started in
the RISD as a student teacher at Lake Highlands Junior
High and the following year continued there as a science
teacher and coach. In 1965, Jerry was hired as an
assistant Football Coach and the first ever Varsity
Baseball Coach at Lake Highlands High School. He
continued in that position until the fall of 1967 when
he was named an assistant principal at Richardson High
School. After a 3 year stint as an A.P. at RHS, Jerry
served for two years as the RISD District Coordinator of
Health, PE, and Drug Education. Because of his success
in impacting both students and staff in education, Jerry
was selected as the head principal at Richardson High
School for the 1972/73 school year. Jerry led this
campus for 6 years and the impact of his leadership is
still evident at Richardson High School today. In 1978,
Jerry was named the RISD Assistant Superintendent for
Personnel and after four years, in 1982, he became the
Area Superintendent over the Lake Highlands attendance
area. He remained in this position for 9 years, then in
1991 moved to the rival side of town as the Assistant
Superintendent over the Pearce/ Richardson Area. He
remained in this same role for 5 years, when in 1996 he
decided to return to campus level administration at
Westwood Jr. High. After two years, he returned to
admini- stration for his final four years as the
Director of Student Services. When Jerry retired at the
end of 41 years, in 2002, the quote his cohorts chose
for the program was "You're our hero...the wind beneath
our wings." Jerry was also a member of numerous profes-
sional organizations including Richardson Retired
Teachers Association, Past Member of White Rock Rotary
Club, Past President of Richardson Rotary Club, Paul
Harris Fellow, and Member of The Heights Baptist Church.
He also was a committed youth coach, coaching soccer,
baseball and basketball in the Spring Valley Athletic
Association, Dallas North Soccer Association, and North
Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In 1974, while serving as
the principal at RHS, Jerry received the Richardson
Jaycees Distinguished Service Award for accomplishments
in his chosen field and for his service to the
community. He also received an Honorary Life Membership
in the Texas Parent Teacher Association during his first
year as principal at RHS. Both because of his service to
the community, his service as an educator, and because
of his commitment and love for his family, the influence
and impact of Jerry's life will continue to grow as
those he mentored and served will follow in his
footsteps with integrity and character. Still, he will
be missed very much by all of his family and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 27 from 6:30-8:30
PM at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, 2525
Central Expressway North, Allen, TX, 75013, Exit 38,
Ridgeview Dr. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday,
August 28th at 3:00 PM, at The Heights Baptist Church,
201 West Renner Road, with Dr. Robert Jeffress
presiding. We would like to thank the Life Guidance
Staff at Atria Richardson and Vitas Hospice for their
loving care. Memorials may be made to Dallas Area Parkin-
son's Society, 3003 L.B.J. Suite 125-E, Dallas, TX
75234, or Retired Teachers of Richardson Foundation,1719
Weiskopf Drive, Heath, TX 75032. To convey condolences
or to sign an online registry, please visit
www.tjmfuneral.com. Turrentine Jackson Morrow Ridgeview
Memorial Park Exit 38 N Central Expwy (972) 542-2601
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