10/01/2025
Here's Gary Miller's obituary:
Gary Wayne Miller, 68, of Jacksonville, Florida, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, September 29, 2025 after a three-year battle with renal cancer.
He was born on March 1, 1957, in Chattanooga, TN, to Melvin and Virginia Miller. As part of a Navy family, he lived in Tennessee, Georgia, and Bermuda before settling in Jacksonville, FL.
He graduated from Nathan B. Forrest High School in 1975 and went on to earn his Associate of Arts degree from Florida Junior College at Jacksonville and his Bachelor’s degree from Jones College. While at FJC, he met Anne Howard in the FJC Chorale, directed by Don Thompson, and they married in 1977. This past June, Gary and Anne celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Together they have one son, Joel.
Gary worked as a real estate appraiser with several local firms and with CSX in property remediation and acquisition until 2001. He then established Miller Appraisal Group, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2023.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Virginia Miller, and his sister, Diane Lovvorn. He is survived by his wife, Anne; his son, Joel, and daughter-in-law, Julie; his grandchildren, Evan and Liam; his brother and sister-in-law, Guy and Wanda Miller; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Duane Carter; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Saundra Howard; his uncle and aunt, Joel and Hookey Bagnal; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and a rich community of friends. And one adoring golden retriever, Charlie.
Gary was a devoted Christ-follower and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. God and family mattered most to him, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was a long-time member of Murray Hill Church, where he served as elder, deacon, and Sunday school teacher for nearly five decades—one of his greatest joys. He also sang on the worship team and in the church choir for many years, always using the gift of his voice to glorify God. His pastor, Doug Axtell, and wife, LaDean, together with Gary’s Sunday school class, ministered faithfully to the family, just as Gary and Anne had so often ministered to others in their times of need.
In the community, Gary was an esteemed singer with a beautiful voice, performing with many organizations over the years, including the Don Thompson Chorale and the River City Men’s Chorus. He was also a member of Eagle Harbor Golf and Country Club, where he enjoyed the fellowship of his golf buddies. Among them, his best friend, Kort Meyer, was a daily source of encouragement, calling him faithfully after his diagnosis and walking alongside him throughout his journey.
He leaves behind a legacy of faith, devotion to God and family, a love for music, and a passion for golf that brought him joy throughout his life. He loved telling bad jokes and great stories.
A memorial service will be held at Murray Hill Church, 4300 Post Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Generation Renovation Building Fund at Murray Hill Church.
