Ronald George Miller

Ronald George Miller, known as Ronnie or Ron to his family and friends, passed away Sept. 12, 2016 at the age of 79. Ron was born Sept. 8, 1937 at home in Cleveland, Ohio to Wardner Franklin Miller and Hazel Maude Thauvette Miller. He was the youngest of five children.

After graduating from West High in Cleveland in 1955, Ron attended drafting school and joined the National Guard. While stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, he met the love of his life, Wanda Beatrice Person. He and Wanda married Dec. 26, 1961 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church in Gonzales. They had two daughters before Wanda passed away on April 24, 1964.

He later met and married Patricia Ann Polasek on Feb. 7, 1969. Their marriage produced a blended family of six wonderful daughters.

Ron was a self-proclaimed “Jack of All Trades.” He worked as a draftsman on Western Blvd. in Cleveland. While still serving in the National Guard, Ronnie and Wanda returned to Gonzales where he worked as a draftsman at GVEC. After he and Patricia married, he continued to faithfully serve in the National Guard while working at GVEC, and later joined his father-in-law, Bennie Polasek, as a commercial painter before branching out on his own.

Ron again utilized his draftsman skills while working for the Gonzales County surveyor. He and Pat owned and operated a local mom and pop video rental store, the Video Hut. He also worked as a jailer for the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Department and as a point-man for Remschel Brothers Lumber Company.

Ron told his family he was never going to move back to the big city of Cleveland because he loved Texas, and upon retirement that’s where he stayed. Ron loved dancing, which he and his siblings learned from their parents at an early age. He enjoyed swing dances such as the Lindy Hop, jitterbug and East Coast swing along with the two step, waltz and polkas.

He enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, hunting, raising cattle, planting fields, bailing hay and tinkering with cars ever since his prized Studebaker from his early 20s. He loved playing dominos and card games with family and friends and took leisure in playing solitaire at home.

Ron played many musical instruments, including the guitar, piano, drums, clarinet, violin/fiddle, harmonica, banjo, ukulele and accordion. His musical gifts were passed down to him by his mother. He played by reading music or by ear.

Ron had a love for drawing and painting and was a multi-talented artist. Ronnie also enjoyed taking summer trips back home to visit family in Ohio. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gonzales and a member of the Elks BPOE Lodge of Gonzales.

Ron is survived by his daughters Kimberly Miller Haynes (James Gary), Ronda Miller (Gary Brecosky), Lisa Arnic (Larry), Emily Hunt, Jennifer Miller and Samantha Miller Garcia (Michael), all of Gonzales; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his former wife Patricia; his sisters, Ruth Smith of North Olmsted, Ohio and Rita Boiani of Parma Heights, Ohio; brother, Ray Miller (Rosalie “Buddy”) of Cleveland; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roy Miller; grandson, Jonathan David Thiele and granddaughter Heather Janine Haynes Lee.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at First Baptist Church of Gonzales with fellowship to follow. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Gonzales Volunteer Fire Department, 411 St. Lawrence Street in Gonzales or Texas Elks Children’s Services, 1963 FM 1586, Gonzales, Texas.

Services under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home and First Baptist Church of Gonzales.