Jazz Owner Larry H. Miller Passes Away

JPicks

Pretty much a regular
Larry H. Miller passes away

February 20th, 2009 @ 5:25pm
News release

Larry H. Miller, husband, father, grandfather, a well-known entrepreneur, community advocate and humanitarian, died from complications due to type 2 diabetes today, at home, surrounded by his family. He was 64.

Miller, a man who truly loved Utah, its people and its land, was born in Salt Lake City in 1944. From modest beginnings, he grew up in the Capitol Hill area and went on to become one of Utah's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Leaving behind a profound professional and personal legacy, the entities Miller created have had a significant and lasting impact on the communities in which he did business, and the more than 7,000 individuals he employed.

The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies began with the Larry H. Miller Toyota store in Murray, Utah on May 1, 1979. Through the years, Miller amassed more than 80 businesses and properties in the western United States. Most notable are the Utah Jazz, EnergySolutions Arena, the Salt Lake Bees, Miller Motorsports Park, Megaplex Theatres, and 39 automobile dealerships spanning the Rocky Mountain West. Miller also developed a vast real estate holdings including commercial and agricultural properties.

A dynamic entrepreneur and business leader, Miller also became known for his charitable efforts. Miller coined the phrase "Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world."

Miller and his wife Gail provide close to 300 college scholarships each year. Larry H. Miller Charities, a foundation funded by monthly contributions from his businesses, fundraising events in the community, and personal donations from employees, has donated millions of dollars to communities in which Miller does business.

"Larry and Gail have always stressed the importance of giving back to the communities in which we do business. Our customers have supported us and it is important that we show our appreciation by helping those in need," said Greg Miller, eldest son and CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. "Larry felt that his legacy isn't in business as much as it was in creating opportunities for good jobs and higher education."

Larry and Gail have also donated millions of dollars to Utah-based colleges and universities for campus improvements such as the state-of-the-art softball and baseball complexes at BYU. The Larry H. Miller Campus of the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), was completed in fall 2001 and includes the Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Training Center and The Larry and Gail Miller Public Safety Education & Training Center.

Despite all of his success, Miller always maintained that his greatest accomplishment is the family that survives him: his wife, Karen Gail Saxton Miller, their four sons and one daughter, 21 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
 
Pretty crazy as he was 100% healthy 3 years ago or so. Diabetes can be scary as shit. The state of Utah owes this guy a lot as he's the only reason the Utah Jazz aren't the Las Vegas Jazz.
 
Diabetes is known as a lifestyle disease - guess he should've cared for the ole body a tiny bit more than the bizzos.

oh, RIP
 
One of a kind owner really.

Read a great piece earlier on him.

My favorite memory, as an outsider was his infamous banter with Jordan. Jordan back in 87-88 dunked on John Stockton. Miller yelled at him to basically pick on someone his own size. Next time down MJ dunked on 7 foot Mel Turpin and just kinda smiled at him.
 
W/out getting into details I have to say that there wasn't a single shady thing about this guy. He was as LDS as they come but was respected by the entire state. Kind of guy that you would roll into the local sandwich shop and he'd be sitting in the corner by himself enjoying his lunch. The only reason he bought the Jazz was because they were going to leave for Miami and he pretty much put his entire financial life on the line to keep the team here. Of course that worked out really well for him, but nobody could have predicted that when he made the purchase.
 
rip...don't know much about him but that was a great piece on the guy...seems like he was one of the good ones for sure
 
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