ZAPATA, TEXAS---Gary Lee Miller, 78, of Breckenridge, Michigan passed away peacefully Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Laredo Specialty Hospital in Laredo, Texas with his family at his side.

Gary was born on May 24, 1939, in Breckenridge, Michigan the first son of Beatrice (Lyons) and Carl Miller. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Gaila O'Boyle on December 27, 1957, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in December 2017.

He proudly served in the US Air Force and the US National Guards. He retired from The Midland County Road Commission then started his own excavation and bulldozing business. He was known for the many ponds and small lakes that he created with his excavation business, he even created a small lake on the family property where his home sits so he could watch the lake from his deck. He loved to fly airplanes and any type of flying machines. He was a licensed pilot and owned his own airplane for many years. He especially enjoyed camping and traveling across the US and spending winters in warmer climates with Zapata, Texas his favorite where he had a winter home for the past six years. He loved to fish and hunt with his family. He was an individual who could find a solution for many complex problems and enjoyed talking about home repair solutions with family and friends. He was always on the move and had many projects to occupy his time.

He is survived by three sons, Brian, Patrick (Tonya), Kelly and a daughter Lisa (Joe) Kennedy, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The ten grandchildren include Mitchell, Kaleb, Denise, Jake (Lindsay), Krissy, Andy, (Kalina), Schriver, Slayter, Molly (Josh) and Jesse. The great-grandchildren include Samantha Josephine, Eli and Wesley. He is survived by a brother, Marvin (Debbie), and sisters, Bonita (Wayne) Haut, Brenda (Duane) Huntoon and Charlene (Bob) Mollema and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Miller. He is also survived by brother/sister-in-laws, Gerald (Judy) O'Boyle, Glen (Dorothy) O'Boyle, Gene (Carol) O'Boyle, Keith (Irene) O'Boyle, Neil (Linda) O'Boyle, Tim (Julie) O'Boyle and Kim (Penny) O'Boyle along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Beatrice (Lyons) Miller-McNeal and Carl Miller, his step-father, Wilbur McNeal, his brother Douglas and daughter Andrea.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Countryside United Brethren Church located at 4762 S. 11 Mile Road, Breckenridge, Michigan at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that contributions be made to St. Louis VFW Post 1295 West Monroe Road, St. Louis, Michigan.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.