Tom Miller

Funeral service for Thomas A. Miller, 68, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at North Street Church of Christ with Curtis Barbarick officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Laird Funeral Home.  A private graveside will follow.

Thomas Allen Miller, born on May 11, 1955, in Portales, New Mexico, departed from this world on December 7, 2023. Tom, as he was affectionately known, was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Tillie Miller, as well as his older brother, Robert “Bob” Miller.

Tom leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth, survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Patty. He is also remembered with love by his daughter, Claire Bivins; stepson, Will Ashby, and wife Anna Ashby; stepdaughter, Ember Ashby, and her husband, Leandro Minarelli; and a cherished group of eight grandchildren; Bryana Ashby, Peyton Bivins, Emerson Carden, Nolan Ashby, Emilia Minarelli, Sutton Bivins, Bridget Ashby, and Slaid Bivins.

In addition to his immediate family, Tom is survived by his sister-in-law, Ardan Miller; his brother, Gary Miller, and his wife, Dorota Miller; as well as his two nieces, Sophie Miller, and Isabella Miller.

Tom's early life was marked by the frequent moves his family made due to his father's coaching career. From Portales, New Mexico; to Albuquerque, New Mexico; to Gunnison, Colorado; to Fresno, California; back to Portales, New Mexico; to Denton, Texas (where Tom started high school); and finally, to Wichita, Kansas where Tom graduated high school at Kansas Southeast. He took particular pride in his 1973 basketball team that competed in the Kansas State Championship game. Tom attended Wichita State University as a freshman and played on the basketball team there until the Miller family moved one last time to Nacogdoches, Texas. This is where Tom completed his undergraduate degree and Master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin State University. His professional years included owning Zebra Striping Company, owning Good Ideas Teacher Supply Store, and devoting himself to 30-plus years in the field of education. When he wasn’t with his family or at school, Tom could be found on the golf course with some of his treasured, lifelong friends.

Tom will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but also for the love and commitment he brought to his family and the positive impact he had on the lives of those he touched. His enduring legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Neema Village at P.O. Box P.O. Box 21553, Waco, Texas 76701 or Nacogdoches Treatment Center at 119 Hughes Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961

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