Larry Joe Miller, 77 years, 8 months, 8 days old, stepped into heaven on October 7, 2026, with his family beside him.
On January 27, 1949, Larry was born in Ava, Missouri to Charley and Elsie (Burlison) Miller.
Larry was the youngest of eight siblings with three older sisters to baby him. You could say he was a bit spoiled. His family was rich in all the ways that mattered.
In 1976, Larry met the love of his life, Marsha Lynn Lietch, and the two were married on June 20th of 1980. They built a home, a farm, and a beautiful life together. They had two children, Jason and Kalynn, and gave them the best life they could have ever asked for. Later on, their family grew when they added Mindy and Wade. They were not “in-laws” but were a son and daughter that he loved just like his own. He was blessed with three beautiful grandchildren – Brooklyn, Bentley, and Wilder. The family enjoyed weekly Sunday dinners and loved each other more than you can imagine.
Larry worked at Rawlings in Ava for 34 years. He made many lifelong friends and innumerable memories from all the shenanigans and fun that was had. He later went on to farm and do carpentry. He was an excellent carpenter and built much of the furniture his family has today. He loved Chiefs and Ava Bear football, white bass fishing, fast cars, coon hunting, playing his guitar and mandolin with friends, and spending time with his family and friends.
Larry was a friend to everyone and truly embodied loving your neighbor as yourself. Through the years, he befriended many that others considered unlovable. He loved to help others and loved when people needed to borrow something from him. He always said that, “if it’s not tied down, you can have it.” Larry had an infectious personality. He had a nickname for everyone and a joke or story for every occasion. He always made time for others.
His family was his world. He never missed a ball game (and there were many). He would spend hours in the evenings playing catch and reading with both of his kids even though he was exhausted. He loved his wife with everything he had and would do anything in the world for her.
God performed many miracles in Larry’s life – the biggest of which occurred March 20th of 2017 when a farm accident resulted in a broken neck. God spared his life that day and Larry decided to make Jesus Lord of his life. Larry loved Jesus and wanted to be sure all his family and friends would see him again in heaven someday. He played an instrumental role in his brother, JD, coming to Jesus. He and his brother were baptized together in June of 2019. He faithfully attended Cross Point Church in Ava.
There simply aren’t enough words to describe someone who was so many things to so many people. He embodied sacrificial love, laughter, joy, selflessness, and hard work. Our lives will never be the same without him in it. What a privilege to have loved someone so much that makes saying goodbye so impossible.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Doyle Miller, Johnie Miller, J.D. Miller, Peggy Bonham, and JoAnn Jenkins.
Larry is survived by his wife, Marsha; his children, Jason and Mindy Miller and Kalynn and Wade Woods; grandchildren Brooklyn and Bentley Merritt and Wilder Woods; his brother Charlie and wife Glenda Miller and his sister Betty Elliott; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends that were more like family.
