Charles Wayne Miller

Charles Wayne Miller left this life, held closely in the arms of his family, and went to begin his eternal life in the arms of his Heavenly Father and son, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, the 14th of January 2014. Wayne was born in Lockney, Texas, on the 17th of March 1934, to Elvie and James Miller. His family moved to Plainview soon after his birth, where he grew up and attended school. Wayne was the second of four children. His sisters are Jan Cornebise and Kay Koepp. His older brother and best friend was Marlin Miller.

Wayne was born with an independent and fiercely competitive spirit. In high school he found his passion in the game of tennis. He was a consistent winner for the Plainview Bulldogs, catching the attention of several universities, earning several scholarship offers. He was leaning toward the University of Texas, but instead chose Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene in order to play alongside Carl Nunn, another state championship level player. Together the two were the 1953 NAIA champions. In 1954, he and Carl won the doubles Border Conference Championship, where Wayne also won the singles championship. His love of the game continued for the next fifty years.

During his junior year at Hardin-Simmons, he took a break from school and joined the Army. He served for two years as part of the Fort Bliss guided missile team. After his tennis talent was discovered, the majority of his service years were spent on the court racking up titles for the Commanding Officer.

In the fall of 1955, Wayne resumed his education and tennis at Hardin-Simmons University. It was there that a close friend, Mac McDaniel, introduced him to a cute coed from Abilene, Pat Johnson. She would later become his wife and the love of his life. They married in 1957 and their love continued strong for fifty-six years.

Upon graduation from Hardin-Simmons, Wayne enrolled at Texas Tech University, where he earned another degree in Petroleum Engineering. His career with Texas Oil and Gas lasted for more than a decade. His first assignment was to establish their office in Oklahoma City. Then, as a Vice President, he took over the Houston TXO office. In 1978, Wayne felt the time was right to strike out on his own, and a small upstart company, Miller Energy, was born. For the rest of his life, Wayne remained actively involved in the oil and gas industry.

The professional organizations to which Wayne belonged included: Texas Independent Royalty Producers Association, Independent Producers Association and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He was also a member of Lakeside Country Club and Houston Racquet Club. His love of tennis continued and merged with the oil industry. Wayne, with Dale Cullwell and Bill Sherman, established the World Oilmen’s Tennis Tournament at the HRC in 1977. The tournament continues strong today. It is highly regarded, with players coming from around the world to participate.

More important than his professional life, or his tennis, was his relationship with Jesus Christ. Wayne accepted Christ as a young boy and over the years that relationship deepened and guided him in every aspect of his life. That relationship was reflected in Wayne’s love of people. Everyone he met felt equally valued and loved. His family was his greatest earthly love. They were always aware of his devotion and approval. Wayne was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church, where he taught bible study, was deacon and held the position of the chairman of the board of deacons at the time the new Worship Center was built.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents, Elvie and James Miller; his brother, Marlin Miller; and his beloved niece, Marla Miller. He is survived by his devoted wife, Pat Johnson Miller; his daughter, Tracy Wilkerson and her husband Richard; his son, Charles Miller and his wife, Federica; his five grandchildren, Joshua Wilkerson, Bailey Wilkerson, Will Wilkerson, Sofia Miller and Thomas Miller; his sisters, Jan Cornebise and her husband, Al, and Kay Koepp and her husband, Noble; his sister-in-law, Melinda Miller; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Serving as honorary pall bearers during the services are Dr. Mike Duncan, Mr. Edd Hendee, Mr. Fred Kniffen, Dr. Fred Simmons, Mr. Joe Elam, Mr. Wilbur McDaniel and Mr. John Harrell.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from two until five o’clock this afternoon, Sunday, the 19th of January, in the library and grand foyer of George H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston.

A memorial service, celebrating his life, is to be conducted at noon on Monday, the 20th of January, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young and Dr. Danny Havard are to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Deacons’ Parlor.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private entombment in the Texas Liberty Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in Wayne’s memory be directed to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX, 77057.