James H. “Jim” Miller, affectionately known as “Coach”, 81, passed away at his home on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Services will be held 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at the First Baptist Church, Kilgore, Texas. Reverend Dr. Pete Freeman and Reverend David Hampton will officiate. Burial will follow in Danville Cemetery, Kilgore, Texas. He was born March 27, 1932, in Sand Lake, Texas. After graduating from Ennis High School in 1950, Jim worked as a printer for the Ennis Tag and Salesbook Company. On May 30, 1953, Jim married the love of his life, Dianne Louise Percival, before serving our country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, Jim attended East Texas State University where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology, history, and education. While at East Texas State University, he was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, elected student body president, and earned a football scholarship. In 1991, Jim was inducted into the East Texas State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Miller began his teaching and coaching career at Corsicana High School. He coached at Jacksonville, Corpus Christi, and Henderson High Schools. In 1967, Jim joined the staff of Kilgore College serving as assistant football coach and physical education instructor. In 1976, he was named head football coach at Kilgore College where he continued to serve until his retirement in 1992. Jim still holds the distinction of having the longest tenure as head football coach in the history of Kilgore College. In his retirement, he loved to hunt, fish, and garden. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the time he shared with family and friends. Coach Miller was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church where he was active in the Master’s Sunday School class. He is survived by his wife, Dianne Percival Miller, of Kilgore; son, Wade Miller, of Marshall, Texas; two daughters and sons-in-law, Teresea and Tom Whaley of Marshall, Texas, and Stacy and Robby LaFleur of Kilgore, Texas; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Johnnie Lee Miller of Richland Chambers Lake, Texas, and Danny and Ellen Miller of Ennis, Texas; a sister, Peggy Roberson, of Mingus, Texas; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Miller, of Ennis, Texas; and his sister-in-law, Eva Miller. Pallbearers were Steve Hancock, Bobby Bittick, Chris McDaniel, Wesley McDaniel, Blayne Montalbano, Heath LaFleur, Ray Woodard, and Dean McNew. Former players, coaches, and members of the Master’s Sunday School class served as honorary pallbearers. The family received friends at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore on Monday, April 15, 2013, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Post Office Box 1170, Kilgore, Texas, 75663. Online condolences may be made at www.raderfuneralhome.com.
