Tribute to a contributor

Steve and I had the privilege of attending local hero and philanthropist Larry H. Miller's funeral yesterday at the Energy Solutions Arena (known better by its previous name, The Delta Center) which he made happen, along with his other financial risks he took for the community such as buying the Jazz so we could keep them in Utah.

It was a very touching service, attended by a number of well-known, non-to-well-known, dignitaries, friends and fans. There was a little woman sitting alone in the section over from me who wore a Jazz sweatshirt, that looked like it had been well-loved and proudly worn for a while - my guess is at Jazz games. Larry helped many worthwhile endeavors including BYU and the U. He gave hundreds of college scholarships and endowed gifts to nearly every local college, though he, himself, was a dropout early in his career at the University of Utah.

Yet he once tried to talk his son Bryan out of attending business school. There was no use for an advanced degree, Bryan remembered, if a businessman had common sense, worked hard and knew his addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. "He proved that," Bryan said.

I really agree with the common sense part since that's not something that can be taught in school and I've witnessed many graduate-degree recipients who still lack common sense, never seem to notice what goes on around them, don't learn from history, buy in to political rhetoric even when clearly contrary to basic economics and who couldn't balance their own checkbooks.

Larry H. Miller may have lost the battle with type 2 diabetes when he died Feb. 20, but, friends and family reiterated at his funeral Saturday, he "won the war."

"He felt it was his responsibility to do as much good as his assets would allow," said Carisa Miller, who started off her grandfather's funeral by reading his obituary to a crowd of several hundred. "He coined and lived by the phrase, 'Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world.' "

As she recounted his life, Carisa Miller made no mention of the world-class racetrack, the motor sports park, or the NBA franchise her grandfather constructed during his lifetime. She didn't talk about his 42 car dealerships, his movie production company, his restaurants or even his philanthropic organizations. Instead, Carisa Miller — as well as subsequent speakers — called to mind the more personal triumphs in Larry Miller's family life.

"He was a man who lived well, laughed often and loved much," said Karen Miller, his only daughter. "He gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children."

"Yes, Utah knows this guy," said Elder M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, playing off Larry Miller's television advertising campaign. "And we love him."

Larry Miller frequently went out of his way to help those less fortunate than he, said LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, who named the businessman as a personal friend and confidant.

Once, President Monson recalled, when a local burger joint was in danger of closing, Larry Miller set the owner up with new, rent-free property so he could continue making the "best burgers in town."

"Those kinds of things — the little things Larry did every day — weren't in the newspapers," Monson said. "If we will just remember not to overlook the forlorn, not to shun a person who has no friends, but rather open wide our hearts and souls, everywhere we go we'll have an opportunity to pay tribute to Larry." (Elizabeth Stuart - DesNews)

I borrowed some photos from the Deseret News. Click on the post title for the actual article and credits. Eventually they'll probably not have it available but the pictures are done by Deseret News photographers.

John Stockton hugging Gail at the viewing on FridayThere was a wonderful display in the lobby at the Arena with photos from Larry's past and even a Jazz car.

Jeff Hornacek, former Jazz team member and nice guy!

Karl Malone - I love to see a grown man cry (when it's not because the Jazz are losing!) - the other half of "Stockton to Malone." An amazing sculpture of the two of them has a permanent home outside the arena.
Karl and Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan. John Stockton (Jazz superstar), Greg Ostertag, other former Jazz stars were also there.
A UHP Trooper salutes. There was a huge motorcade of police motorcycle escorts leading from the ESA to the Salt Lake City Cemetery. You could just imagine them hearing, "Gentlemen, start your engines" and the cycles and cars all started at once. (I was glad these officers were busy because my car was parked in a two hour streetside and I wasn't sure if it was enforced on Saturday but I couldn't get to the car if I'd wanted to because of the parade).
Included in the procession were cars from Larry's private collection. He loved everything to do with cars and his dealership earned him the money to do the great things he did. He began his career as a parts store clerk. It's a Rags to Riches story like all Americans appreciate.
Larry's wife, Gail, son Greg (who is now at the Larry Miller helm) and family. I enjoyed Greg sharing a story that tells of Larry's personality. H described his father as a "nickel shooter," who reused sticky tabs and once passed up an open space in front of Siegfried's Deli downtown when the two were out for lunch. When Greg asked if he had changed his mind about going there for lunch Larry answered, "No, I'm looking for a parking meter with some time on it."
Greg arranged to paint his casket to match his beloved Ford Cobra, complete with racing stripe. All 21 of his grandchildren spoke of something they loved or loved to remember about their Grandpa. The LDS First presidency was in attendance along with many other Church leaders. One of Miller's projects was financing The Joseph Smith Papers. When M. Russell Ballard spoke about him he said that as the days went on and his physical trials increased, their talks became more and more spiritual in nature. The family emphasized the man who loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, was devout in his faith and who loved to have fun with his family.
Current Jazz team - they sat on the home bench in his honor.
Home of the Jazz - the place he built and loved to be.
Son, Greg and the "Cobra Casket." I come from a racing family but I didn't realize there's a whole Cobra following out there. A number of men were in attendance wearing their blue and white Cobra jackets.
Greg driving the Cobra and the other children following behind in his other cars.
Tribute from the Jazz.
Miller was buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery with a 21-gun salute. Greg wore a Jazz jersey with his father's No. 9 to Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Larry H. Miller is a fine example of a life well lived.

Click here to see some interesting trivia about Larry. LHM
Photos were from Deseret News online desnews.com