Former Basketball Coach Alton Miller passes away

IMG_8495001.jpgFormer Southwestern Christian basketball coach Alton Miller passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019 at age 86. Alton coached the men’s basketball team in 1966 with players such as Robert Harrison, Phil Beller, Dub Free, Don Williams, Don Holtzclaw, Jim Murray, Ron Evans, Ron Stacy, Ruben Brewer, Forrest Wilkinson, Mike Fitch, Jerry Boone, Frank Daniels, Bobby Ross and Ron Honnicutt.

 

President Tom Murray commented that, “Coach Miller was a beloved member of the SCU family. On several occasions he was invited to speak to our athletes. His family has had a defining history with Southwestern College/Southwestern Christian University. Alton was the epitome of integrity. We will miss him daily.”

“He enjoyed his time there very much,” said Jeff Miller, Alton’s son. “He enjoyed M.W. Murr’s friendship, and he respected and looked up to him.”

 Alton Miller 1966.jpgAlton left Southwestern to become the football and basketball coach at Southeast High School, where he taught and coached for 4-5 years. In 1972 he became the head football coach at Tuttle High school and his teams made it to the state semifinals several times. In 1980, Alton took the Athletic Director and head football coaching job at Carl Albert. His last year before retirement, the Carl Albert Titans won the state championship, which was a first for both Alton and the school. After retirement, Alton pursued his passion for smoking barbeque brisket and ribs. For the following four years he catered until fully retiring to enjoy retired life.

“I know I sound like I am bragging, but I have never tasted better brisket and ribs,” Jeff said.

During retirement, Alton and his wife began leading a Sunday School class for seniors at Southern Hills Baptist Church in southwest Oklahoma City. They started the class with three couples, and over the past 15-20 years that class has grown to over 130 people.

“He was a really good teacher and he loved to teach the Bible.” Jeff said. “It truly enriched his life and brought fulfillment.”

Alton was preceded in death by his wife, one son and his grandmother, Lovie Miller. He is survived by his son, Jeff and wife Melody Miller.  He played basketball for Jerry Boone, one of Alton’s former players.  Jeff and Melody are alumni of Southwestern where they met.

“It is a good place to meet a spouse because you share a lot of core values,” Jeff said. “She is the best thing that happened to me.”

Memorial services for Alton Miller will be at Southern Hills Baptist Church on April 12, 2019, at 1 pm.

“Dad was my mentor, spiritual leader, counselor and best friend in this life.” Jeff said. “I am proud to be his son. He lived his faith, you know, not just talked it. He was a major influence in my life, and he will be dearly missed.”

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