Vernon Leroy Miller

VERNON LEROY MILLER 88, of Amarillo, died Thursday, January 5, 2017 in Amarillo. Services will be at 11:00 AM Monday in Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel with Gil Hiltbrunner, pastor of Shiloh Fellowship officiating. Military Honors will be by Volleys for Veterans. Interment will be at Llano East Cemetery, Field of Freedom. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Vernon was born on October 29, 1928, in Pueblo, CO. to A.G. and Lorena Miller. The family moved to Amarillo to start Pinkney Packing Company. Vernon eventually attended military schools which led to his joining the United States Air Force. After serving in Japan, he was honorably discharged, joined his father to work in the family business and then married his first wife with whom he had six children. In 1968, Vernon set out on a twelve year franchise venture for which he is well known, Bonanza Sirloin Pit. After Bonanza, he worked for Amarillo Globe News for twelve years and then retired. While working his route, Vernon met and courted the love of his life, Arcilia Navarette. They married in 1991 and raised two more daughters. Last year they celebrated 25 loving years of marriage. Vernon grew up during not just the depression but the Golden Age of television and the Big Band Era. He loved movies, music and telling his stories. He loved to talk, always having a joke or story to share or just to talk about the weather or price of gas. He has left a legacy for his family, being a man of hard work, love, honesty and humor. Vernon was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Gayle Miller. Survivors include his wife Arcilia Miller of Amarillo; four sons, Steven Miller of Amarillo, Paul Miller of Canyon, Arnold and wife LaDonna Miller of Bartlesville, OK, and Edwin Miller and wife Tammy of Canyon; three daughters, Eileen Pulliam and husband Ron of Panhandle, Jessie Gunn of Amarillo, and Kajsa Mason and husband Matt of Amarillo; two brothers, Arthur Miller of Whitesboro, and Bill Miller and wife Melissa of Houston; 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be to, the Veterans Resource Center, 1001 S. Polk St. Amarillo, Texas 79101 or the Bivins Foundation, Amarillo Bldg., 2311 SW 16th Ave., Amarillo, Texas 79102 Sign the online guest register at www.rectorfuneralhome.com SERVICES Funeral Service Monday, January 9, 2017 11:00 AM Rector Funeral Home 2800 South Osage Amarillo, Texas 79103