Richard Miller, 68
Funeral services for Richard Miller, 68, of Gainesville, will be held at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in the Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to service time at the church. Officiating will be Bro. Davin Friend. Burial will be in the Brushy Knob Cemetery.
He died Sept. 26, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield. He was born March 7, 1956, in Gainesville to Fred and Opal (Thompson) Miller. He was a lifelong resident of Gainesville and a 1974 graduate of Gainesville High School.
Richard was a devoted son, brother, father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also a loving friend and neighbor. Richard was a helper to all who knew him. He spent countless hours being a support to people who he knew and loved.
Richard married Nancy (Yaeger) on Oct. 22, 1977. Together they had two daughters, Brenda (Miller) Frye and Marsha (Miller) Conklin.
Richard married Cindi (Edwards) on May 20, 2002, and he became a father figure to James Blaylock and Buddy Moon.
Richard was a hard-working man in every capacity. He retired from MoDOT in 2007 after 29 years of service. He did it all while also managing his 200-acre farm, feeding morning and night, fixing fence, maintaining the ground and working on farm equipment. The same year he retired from MoDOT he began driving a school bus for Gainesville School District. He enjoyed this work for the past 17 years until his health didn’t allow him to return. For years his family could hear him plowing up the dirt road in his bus, starting his morning route. As he would drive by the house, he would honk to make sure his family was all up and stirring. He often talked about the kids on his bus route and how he enjoyed them. Everyone knew how Richard would drive his route - wide open!
Richard enjoyed everything about his life. Although farming was work, it was also a hobby. He enjoyed working on equipment and restoring tractors. He enjoyed taking his grandkids hunting on his land and taking them fishing from time to time. Every October he enjoyed deer camp where tons of family and friends gathered for hunting, camping, good cooking and good laughs. Tons of cousins and family friends were a part of this annual tradition and it’s something Richard held close to his heart.
Another thing Richard looked forward to yearly was seeing his step-sons and their families. Every Fourth of July week he would work, cleaning up the house and property in preparation of their visit. Once they arrived, he enjoyed their company, porch sitting, cooking and taking all of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on tractor and four-wheeler rides. All of Cindi and Richard’s kids and their children had multiple gatherings during that week, as well as float trips and days on the pontoon.
"Papa’s" tractors were a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed. Every year he looked forward to riding tractors in the Hootin an Hollarin parade with his buddies. It wasn’t long before he involved his son-in-law Jim Frye and grandson, Braden Frye.
Richard instilled in his family strong Christian values, raising his family in church from a young age. He set an example of unconditional love, selfless acts, hard work and dedication to whatever he put his mind to. Richard loved Jesus, and it showed in the way he chose to live his life. He leaves a legacy in those he has left behind.
Richard is survived by his wife Cindi of 22 years; two daughters and their spouses: Brenda and Jim Frye and Marsha and Bobby Conklin; two stepsons and their spouses: James and Sarah Blaylock, and Arthur “Buddy” and Shy Moon; grandchildren: Braden, Mylie, Grant, Brantlee, Krayton, Braxton, Eric, Katie, Erin, JW, Frank, Logan and Nick; and great-grandchildren: Ellie, Stella, Taylor and Jamie. He also leaves behind his mother, Opal Beasley and husband Jim Beasley; two sisters: Angie and husband Wayne Wallace, and sister Glenda Silvey; nephews; nieces; and close cousins - too many to mention but all were ever near to his heart.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Fred Miller.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.