Elza 'Buck' Therman Miller

Elza T. (Buck) Miller started his life in his family’s farmhouse on November 29, 1930. After 91 ½ years Buck’s life ended peacefully on June 24, 2022 in his house on his farm. In 1978 Buck accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, so today and forever, he lives in heaven. Buck is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Buck was born the youngest of seven children in Story, OK located near Maysville. He was named Elza by his parents Leatha and Vernon Miller, but as a young boy was given the nickname “Buck” by his brother, Russell. Buck’s early years were spent on the family farm. He attended public school until he completed the 8th grade when he decided to quit and get a job cutting broomcorn. As a teenager Buck and his parents moved to Muskogee. Throughout his life Buck worked at several different jobs. He learned carpentry from his brother-in-law, Earnest Brewster. In 1951 Buck had just started to work at Brockway Glass Company when he was needed by Uncle Sam. Buck was drafted into the United States Army and served his two years, stationed in Alaska, during the Korean War. In 1953 he was honorably discharged and happily returned to his Brockway job and warmer climate in Muskogee. He was glad to be home but was a proud veteran. Shortly thereafter, Buck worked for Pruitt’s Produce then secured a better job with H. B. Egan Mfg. Company. After more than 30 years of service for Egan’s, Buck retired but never stopped working. He just had more time for the jobs he enjoyed the most: checking his cows and watching them grow, remodeling or building houses, and spending time in his large vegetable garden. His entire life Buck loved to fish, especially trot line fishing for catfish on Eufaula Lake. Buck bought a waterfront lot and built a cabin at Sandy Bass Bay. There, many hours were enjoyed boating, skiing, and fishing with family and friends. It was not uncommon for him to use a 55-gallon barrel of gas having a weekend of fun. Buck Miller was a forever optimist. He always saw the good in everyone and never met a stranger. He was a caring parent and grandparent that loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. Buck enjoyed watching basketball games, riding his tractor, fishing, talking, eating (especially at Golden Corral), gardening, mowing his lawn, and sitting on his front porch. He was honest, trustworthy, and his word was his bond. In short, Buck Miller was a good man. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Donna Pittman; grandsons, Bennie Duane Pittman, Jesse Pittman, Joe Pittman, and Jeremy Murr; parents, Leatha and Vernon Miller; sisters, Betty Johnson, Leona Brewster, and Lillian Hunter; and brothers, Ray, Roy, and Russell Miller. He is survived by his wife, Mary Miller; daughters, Beverly Newton and husband David, and Glenna Murr and husband Jerry Don; sons, Mike Spradlin, Darrel Spradlin and wife Sherri, and James Spradlin and wife Sheila; grandchildren, Richard Newton and wife Dayra, Holly Coldwell and husband Denny, Jerrod Murr and wife Jenn, Josh Murr and wife Jill, Michael Spradlin, Mark Spradlin and wife Mariah, Ashley Rogers, Matthew Spradlin and wife Virginia, Justin Spradlin, Marti Henry and husband Jake, Sierra Spradlin and fiancé Gage, Mia Boken and husband Nick, and John Gates; thirty-two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews and friends. The Buck Miller Family wishes to thank Med-Corp Homehealth and Compassus Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to Compassus Hospice in Muskogee, OK. A celebration of Buck’s life will be 1PM, Friday, July 1, 2022 at Cornerstone Funeral Home with Jerrod Murr officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Richard, Josh, Justin, Michael, Mark, and Matthew. Honorary pallbearers will be his sons-in-law, David, Jerry Don, and Bennie; and nephews, Doyle Miller, Richard Leeds, Garland Miller, and Bill Ross.

Elza 'Buck' Therman Miller

November 29, 1930 - June 24, 2022