Gilbert Miller
Gilbert Miller, 89, prominent Richmond, Ky. businessman and developer, and the widower of Evelyn Rose Miller, passed away Friday, November 26, 2021.
Gilbert was born March 4, 1932 in Laurel County, Ky., the son of the late Benjamin and Mattie Rooney Miller. He was a graduate of Madison High School and a 1956 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where he majored in industrial arts. He served in both active duty and reserves of the United States Marine Corps. Gilbert was a member of the Madison Hills Christian Church.
As a builder and developer, he began in 1961, building houses, and developing subdivisions and shopping centers. He was the developer of Hillcrest, Barnes Mill Estates, Deacon Hills, Southern Hills, Tates Creek Estates and Millers Landing subdivisions. In addition, he was the developer of Southern Hills Plaza, Soper Plaza and the Landing Center shopping centers. He was a founder and past president of the Madison County Home Builders Association.
He was active in both business and civic affairs in the Richmond community. He was a member and past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, member of the Richmond Masonic Lodge and the Olieka Shrine Temple. Not only was Gilbert a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, he was one of the original 100 inductees into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He had also served on the EKU Board of Regents and was a member of the EKU Fellows. He had served as director, past president and chairman of the board of the former State Bank and Trust Company and was a former director of the Pattie A. Clay Hospital.
Gilbert was the former chair of the Madison County Democrat Party, and in 1975 and 1983 he served as Madison County chair for the gubernatorial elections of Julian M. Carrol and Martha Layne Collins. From 1979 to 1982 he served on the governor’s task force on Kentucky State Parks. In 1976, he served as a regional co-chair for the presidential election and was also a national elector. In the fall of 1978, Gilbert had the opportunity to attend a White House briefing given by President Jimmy Carter.
Gilbert loved being outdoors. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing. He also loved raising and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. He was a member of the Kentucky Walking Horse Association and the Tennessee Walking Horse Owner’s Association. In 1998, the Gilbert Miller family entry “Masquerading” was selected the World Grand Champion at the National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn.
Survivors include his two daughters, Dee Dee Miller of Lewisburg, Tenn., and Paula Miller of Richmond; four grandsons, Benjamin Masters, Samuel Ross Masters, Charles Claybourne Masters and Miller Sale; one sister, Parilee Miller Johnson; as well as several nieces and nephews. Gilbert is also survived by his loving canine companion “Leo.”
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy “Dot” Hall, Louise Fortney and Addie Griffith, and three brothers, William “Bill” Miller, Emmitt Miller and Ernest Miller.
Funeral Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wed., December 1, 2021, at the Combs, Parsons and Collins Funeral Home, 328 West Main Street with Bro. Marty Frazer officiating. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. The funeral service may be viewed via Live Stream Webcast at www.cpcfh.com.
Visitation will be held 5 - 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Benjamin Masters, Samuel Ross Masters, Charles Claybourne Masters and Miller Sale.
Honorary Pallbearers are Danny Reynolds, George Ridings, Jim Murphy, John Harris, Jimmie Lee Johnson, Mark Gentry, Kitty Shew, Fairy Foster, Raymond Anderson, James Masterson, Julian Griffith, Boyd Griffith, John Paul Miller, Mike Land, Tom Mattingly, and Paul Motley.