Obituary of Jr. Miller

MILLER, JR., ARTHUR RAYMOND (A. RAY), died on Friday, November 14, 2003 of complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was born on July 18, 1926 in Lakeland, Florida to Arthur R. (Sr.) and Nellie V. Miller. He is preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Edward C. Miller of Lake Wales. During World War II, he attended (V-12) Navy flight school at the University of Miami and Iowa State University. He then graduated from the University of Florida in 1948 with a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member and past president of Lamba Chi Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduation from UF he served as City Engineer, Tax Assessor and Building Inspector for the City of Winter Park. He later became Winter Park City Manager from 1951 to 1953. He was recalled into the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for active duty and served in Panama (Canal Zone) for two years during the Korean War as Resident Officer in Charge of Construction and Assistant Public Works Officer. He was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant, J.G. He joined Hubbard Construction Company in 1955 and worked there for over 30 years, ultimately serving as President and CEO from 1980-1985, and Vice-Chairman of the Board in 1986. After retiring from Hubbard Const. Co. in 1986, he served as Vice President of his son's consulting civil engineering firm: A. R. Miller Engineering, Inc., for several years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in both Florida and North Carolina, as well as a Certified General Contractor in Florida. In 1974 he was General Partner for a group of investors (that originally included Johnny Unitas) who purchased 150 acres in North Carolina, near Franklin. Over the years, he developed the property with passion, including designing and building a bridge, a water system, and three homes on the property. He was very active in his profession, his community and his church. His numerous activities included: President of the Central Florida Builders Exchange (1962); President, Central Florida Chapter of Florida Engineering Society (1966-67); President and State Director, East Central Branch of American Society of Civil Engineers (1970); State President and National Director of the Florida Engineering Society (1977-78); Committee Chairman for Florida Citrus Open for nine consecutive years through 1978; Vice Chairman, Bay Hill Classic Golf Tournament (1979-80); Campaign Chairman, Vice President, President, and Chairman of the Board Heart of Florida United Way (1985- 1989); Awarded the National Professional Development Award for Engineers in Construction in 1985 by the National Society of Professional Engineers; Board Member Orlando Regional Medical Center Foundation; Member of Advisory Board SunTrust Bank, College Park Branch; Founding Member and Chairman of the Kimball Foundation; Member and former Vestryman (serving as Junior and Senior Warden) of All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park, FL; Director of Kiwanis Club of North Orlando. Survivors include his wife of 53 years Mary (Land) originally of Apopka; and three children, Art (Marylee) Miller of Winter Park, Ginny (Bill) Whitaker of Birmingham, AL, Holly (Jim) Finke of Orlando, and Luis (Lu) Leon of Washington, DC. They have 11 grandchildren, Coty, Devin, James, Ben, Wilson, Rob, Michael, Mary Kate, Maggie, Sofia, and Emilia, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to: National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 or the charity of your choice. Memorial Service with reception following will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 3PM at All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park. Arrangements by National Cremation Society. (407) 629-5575.