Robert Don Miller

With heavy hearts, we celebrate the life and legacy of Don Miller who passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Don was born to Robert and Ozelle Miller in Westbrook, Texas on August 15, 1935. He graduated from Colorado City High School in 1953 and began working at Col-Tex Refinery. He eventually married and moved to Big Spring to raise his kids. He worked at the Cosden (later Fina) Refinery where he continued his 38 year career before retiring in 1991.

Don married the love of his life, Lanette Spivey, in Alamogordo, NM on May 4, 1964. With Christ as the center of their relationship, they built a foundation of love, trust, and support that was steadfast throughout the years. Their marriage was an enduring bond as evidenced by their recent celebration of their 59th wedding anniversary. The life they lived as a couple was a testament to the strength of their love and commitment to one another and a model for their children and all who knew them.

Don was not only a devoted husband but also a loving father and a role model to his children. Don nurtured his children with kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support, always providing a safe and loving space for them to grow and thrive. His guidance and example served as a compass, shaping their values, character, and outlook on life. His legacy as a devoted father will forever inspire his children to carry forward his values and pass on the lessons he taught them to future generations.

Don also had a special place in his heart for his granddaughters. As a grandfather, he held a unique gift for making each granddaughter feel genuinely special and loved. He delighted in their presence and took the time to create cherished memories and moments that would forever shape their lives. Whether it was through blanket fort adventures, learning to ride a bike or a shared love of art and the outdoors, he helped his granddaughters feel a sense of uniqueness and self-worth. In addition to being devoted to his family, Don had a love for painting and the outdoors. He was especially fond of painting Texas Hill Country landscapes and was a student of Dalhart Winberg.

You could often find him out at the ranch, enjoying a day of solitude. Whether it was hunting, working on the tractor, or simply enjoying nature, he embodied a love for all things outdoors.

Don also invested in his own rental business, showing his entrepreneurial spirit and determination to build a secure future for his loved ones. His commitment to both his career and his personal investments modeled a work ethic that his family valued and admired.

Above all, Don cherished his faith which was the cornerstone of his life. His faith was not merely a set of beliefs, but a way of life that he embodied with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. He served as an elder at Spring Creek Fellowship, where he actively participated in the church community and shared his unwavering faith with others. Don’s life exemplified the values of love, forgiveness, and service, leaving a profound impact on all those who were blessed to know him.

Don is survived by his wife, Lanette, who stood by his side through the highs and lows of life, sharing in the joys and sorrows that they encountered together. Don is also survived by their children: JoRene Gardner of Waco, Julie Alley and her husband Jeremie of Katy, and Jimmy Miller and his wife Ellie of Big Spring.

Don’s legacy extends to his grandchildren who were his pride and joy: Emily Baer, Chance Lang, Mackenzie Wolf, Erin Wolf Hecker, Kyle Hecker, Jaiden Alley, Landry Alley, Mackenzi Lain, and Morgan Miller. Don was also eagerly awaiting the arrival of his great-grandson, Beckham Hecker.

Don’s passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of his family and loved ones. Don is preceded in death by his father, Robert Wendell Miller, his mother, Ozelle Miller, his brother Wendell Miller, and his daughter, Stacey Miller.

Don’s love, wisdom, and cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of his family and all who knew him. May we find comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace, reunited with Jesus and loved ones who have gone before him. Let us celebrate his life and carry forward his legacy of love, faith, and family bonds, ensuring that his spirit lives on through the generations to come.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Robert Don Miller at a Funeral Service at 10am, Saturday, May 13th, 2023 at Spring Creek Fellowship. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Friday, May 12th, 2023 at Nalley- Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Buddy Everett, Kevin Freeman, Rusty Ginnetti, Jason Phillips, Dean Reber and Chad Wash. Honorary pallbearers include Rene Brown, Glenn Filingim, Don Finkenbinder, Bobby Fuller, Carl Johansen, John Stevenson, Tommy Williams and Joe Wennik.

In Don’s memory, donations can be made to The Vine Uganda.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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