Larry David Miller

Services to remember and celebrate the life of Larry David “Dave” Miller will be 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church of Claremore, Oklahoma. His pastor and dear friend, Dr. Ray Crawford will share words of comfort. Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rice Funeral Service, 631 E. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, Oklahoma.

David will be laid to rest in his hometown of Lenox. Graveside services will be held in North Fairview Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 31. Family will receive friends 9 a.m., Saturday morning at Ritchie Funeral Home, 124 S. Main St., in Lenox.

Larry David Miller was born April 23, 1951, in Creston to Donald Dean and Jean M. Miller. He was reared in Afton and Lenox and was a 1969 graduate of Lenox Community High School. Growing up as a “country boy,” Dave and his late brother Randy worked for just about all of the area farmers during their adolescence. They built fence, hauled hay and worked in and around livestock. In fact, they earned the reputation that if you had a task to be done, just call the Miller boys.

In addition to all of this work, Dave found the time to take classmate, Cindy Reynolds, to the senior prom. Following high school, Dave pursued an education at Southwestern Community College and later at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa and received an Associate Degree in Computer Programming. All the while, he stayed in contact with Cindy and this courtship culminated in a Nov. 30, 1974, wedding ceremony in Lenox.

With his expertise in computer programming, David quickly found employment first for American Republic Insurance and later for American Airlines. This opportunity would require the young Miller family to relocate to the Tulsa, Oklahoma area – eventually making the community of Claremore their home.

Since 1979, Dave has either been employed by American Airlines or has worked under contract for the company. He has been instrumental in developing payroll software that accurately tracked time and attendance for all employees with American.

In addition to his commitment to work, Dave was committed to his family, his community and his church. Both he and Cindy shared a family focus, never missing daughter Angie’s special events and activities. Dave even enjoyed sharing his April birthday with her prom festivities. The Miller household was always the place to be for Angie and her friends.

Upon moving to Claremore, Dave and Cindy became involved in the Claremore Soccer Association where Dave served as president. He was also involved in coaching and refereeing the sport from time to time.

Certainly not to be overlooked was Dave’s devotion to his God and his church, the First United Methodist Church. Through the years, he and Cindy had taught Sunday school and gone on various mission trips. More recently, he was the first one there and the last one to leave, making sure the doors were unlocked and thermostats set and that everything was back in order before locking up. He was the church concierge if you will, and Pastor Ray’s right hand man, and that was certainly appreciated.

Though he gave so much to so many, he did find time for some of his favorite hobbies including woodworking. Many family and friends are beneficiaries of his great handiwork. Another great love of Dave’s was that of model trains. This began at the age of 10 when he won his first set in a drawing.  He was continuously working on train sets, buying and building and enjoyed sharing this experience with his grandchildren, Evan and Marissa.

This intelligent and innovative, selfless and giving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend to many and irreplaceable supporter leaves treasured friends and a legacy of family which include his daughter Angela Rivera and her husband, Adrian of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Evan and Marissa Rivera; sister Jolene Garey of Broken Bow, Nebraska; brother Dan Miller and his wife Sandy of Walcot; brother-in-law David Reynolds and his wife, Denise of Durant and sister-in-law,Jackie Miller of Mingo. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Cynthia Sue “Cindy” (Reynolds) Miller on June 1, 1998; his parents; his brother Randy Miller and his father and mother-in-law, George and Ruth (Wurster) Reynolds.

Dave answered the call and boarded that heavenly bound train Monday evening, Oct. 26, 2015, in a Tulsa, Oklahoma hospital after a lengthy battle with health challenges. He was 64.

In lieu of flowers or other condolences, the family requests donations be made to the Endowment Fund at First United Methodist Church at 1615 N. Highway 88, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.