Jerry Wayne Miller, 69, was born April 24, 1939 in Blue Ridge, Texas and passed away on August, 24 2008 in Richardson, Texas surrounded by his family. Jerry’s survivors include his loving wife of forty years, Jo Ann Miller, his sons, Mason Miller, Brandon Miller and his wife Emily and one granddaughter Vaughn Miller. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Lynda Dailey and her husband George, his aunt, Jackie Wilder, brothers-in-law, Dr. Ray Landers and Charles Cabaniss, niece, Kristin Cabaniss, nephew, Kevin Cabaniss, and a number of cousins. Jerry graduated from McKinney High School where he was a two year football letterman, Tri-Captain of the team, and was named to the all-district team his senior season. After high school, he attended John Tarleton College in Stephenville where he was a two-year letterman for the Plowboys football team. He completed his college career at North Texas State University receiving both his B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity at NTSU. After college, Jerry began 41 years of service in the Richardson Independent School District where his passion and heart led him to impact every life he touched, whether they were athletes, students, teachers or administrators that served under or alongside Jerry; his gift of influencing young men and women to work hard for their dreams continues to have an impact on the students and faculty of the RISD. Jerry started in the RISD as a student teacher at Lake Highlands Junior High and the following year continued there as a science teacher and coach. In 1965, Jerry was hired as an assistant Football Coach and the first ever Varsity Baseball Coach at Lake Highlands High School. He continued in that position until the fall of 1967 when he was named an assistant principal at Richardson High School. After a 3 year stint as an A.P. at RHS, Jerry served for two years as the RISD District Coordinator of Health, PE, and Drug Education. Because of his success in impacting both students and staff in education, Jerry was selected as the head principal at Richardson High School for the 1972/73 school year. Jerry led this campus for 6 years and the impact of his leadership is still evident at Richardson High School today. In 1978, Jerry was named the RISD Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and after four years, in 1982, he became the Area Superintendent over the Lake Highlands attendance area. He remained in this position for 9 years, then in 1991 moved to the rival side of town as the Assistant Superintendent over the Pearce/Richardson Area. He remained in this same role for 5 years, when in 1996 he decided to return to campus level administration at Westwood Jr. High. After two years, he returned to administration for his final four years as the Director of Student Services. When Jerry retired at the end of 41 years, in 2002, the quote his cohorts chose for the program was “You’re our hero…the wind beneath our wings.” Jerry was also a member of numerous professional organizations including Richardson Retired Teachers Association, Past Member of White Rock Rotary Club, Past President of Richardson Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow, and Member of The Heights Baptist Church. He also was a committed youth coach, coaching soccer, baseball and basketball in the Spring Valley Athletic Association, Dallas North Soccer Association, and North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In 1974, while serving as the principal at RHS, Jerry received the Richardson Jaycees Distinguished Service Award for accomplishments in his chosen field and for his service to the community. He also received an Honorary Life Membership in the Texas Parent Teacher Association during his first year as principal at RHS. Both because of his service to the community, his service as an educator, and because of his commitment and love for his family, the influence and impact of Jerry’s life will continue to grow as those he mentored and served will follow in his footsteps with integrity and character. Still, he will be missed very much by all of his family and friends. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX, 75013, Exit 38, Ridgeview Dr. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 28th at 3:00 PM, at The Heights Baptist Church, 201 West Renner Road, with Dr. Robert Jeffress presiding. We would like to thank the Life Guidance Staff at Atria Richardson and Vitas Hospice for their loving care. Memorials may be made to Dallas Area Parkinson’s Society, 3003 L.B.J. Suite 125-E, Dallas, TX 75234, or Retired Teachers of Richardson Foundation, 1719 Weiskopf Drive, Heath, TX 75032.