Gary Lee Miller

Chinook, MT

Gary Lee Miller left this world peacefully surrounded by family at home on July 11, 2016. Gary was born September 4, 1939 to Leslie and Freda Miller in Havre, Montana. Gary attended grades 1 – 8 in a one-room school house at Lloyd School. Gary met the love of his life, Shirley Bennett, while attending Chinook High School. Gary and Shirley married on September 26, 1959. They had three daughters Debbie, Teri, and Mitzi. Together they worked and lived on the Miller Ranch at Lloyd. He was one tough ole rancher and never complained no matter the difficulties. Gary was a hard worker but also a fun loving man. He was always there for his family. Gary was a champion story teller and had a great cache of jokes for all. He loved his family and enjoyed time with his friends.

Gary and Shirley moved to Chinook in 1978. Gary worked for Tri County Implement for several years selling farm equipment. In 1981, they moved to Great Falls where he operated Industrial Ag and sold Steiger Tractors. He put on annual “tractor fest” parties for customers. Gary later operated the Water Doctor selling water systems.

Gary and Shirley loved to camp and boat at Holter Lake. Gary had many hobbies including stained glass, wood working, and playing his prized guitars. After Shirley retired, they started spending their winters in Mesa Arizona to be close to his mother Freda. They purchased a motor home and traveled back and forth for 18 years. While they had their motorhome, they went on several long trips with their friends, including Alaska. They usually stopped by Reno to see Mitzi and her family on the way to or from Arizona. Last year Gary treated the entire family to a cruise through the Inland Passage to Alaska. Gary’s favorite trips were the cruises through the Panama Canal and the Inland Passage. While in Arizona, Gary won several shuffleboard tournaments and played many hands of cards. He and Shirley became avid Suns and Cardinal fans.

Gary always put family and friends’ needs ahead of his own. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and friend a person could ask for.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Freda, a sister Shirley, and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Debbie (Terry) Churchill, Teri (Roche) Juneau, Mitzi (Martin) Bain, grandchildren Philip Churchill, Sara Juneau, Chase (Kaity) Juneau, Kate Bain, Andrew Bain, and great grandson Elijah Juneau. He is also survived by a brother Max (Leah) Miller, aunt Marietta Mosser, and many other relatives.

A service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25th in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, P.O. Box 695, La Plata, Maryland 20646 and write Helena or Great Falls Montana Project in the memo of the check or go online to projecthealingwaters.org and designate to the Helena or Great Falls Montana Projects in memory of Gary Miller, or simply donate to the charity of your choice. Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gary.

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