Gerald Lee Miller

Gerald Lee Miller, 76 years old Born in Goshen, Indiana Born January 18, 1948 Promoted to Heaven on March 24, 2024 Favorite Verse: John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Preceded in death by his wife, Connie Sue Baldwin Son, David Taylor Sister, La Verta Miller Brother, Ronald Miller Parents, Harvey and Mattie Miller First most, Jerry loved the Lord! He and his family survived the 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes which gave him an added appreciation of family. And there was a lot of family! His parents were from an Amish background and there were aunts, uncles and cousins galore. Jerry was 19 when he married his sweetheart, Connie Sue. He owned a drywall finishing business and was an artist of the craft. Fifteen years into their marriage they opened their doors to a flock of foster children. Between adoptions and legal guardianship, they became loving parents to David, Ken, Richie and Leslie. Jerry and Connie owned a home on a property that boasted a 1 ½ acre pond. This led to fishing, jet skiing, and swimming. The Benton Volunteer Fire Station was on the adjoining property and Jerry was usually the first one to the fires. Jerry loved adventure and taking photos documenting the journey. He enjoyed fishing, horseback riding, hot air balloons, white water rafting, and traveling. He and Connie loved good old Southern Gospel Music and would frequently spend full weekends at the Gaither Meetings. Jerry had the opportunity to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain in Romania and then take other trips into Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, one time working alongside World Missionary Press. The kids now grown, Jerry and Connie moved to Sarasota. He was active in his church at Christian Retreat, volunteering as cameraman and greeter. Jerry worked at DerDutchman, which we all know is the only restaurant in Sarasota, as a maintenance man for 9 years. Jerry’s beloved Connie Sue was only 58 when she passed into the arms of Jesus in 2008 leaving him alone after 42 years of marriage. He attended a GriefShare class to help him cope with the loss and the following year became a leader for the next 13 years, helping others to work through their pain. It was at a GriefShare class he briefly met a grieving widow who he reconnected with at a prayer meeting the following year. Jerry and Phyllis married and began a new adventure. It also provided him with a blended family of 8 more children. He was grandfather to 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grands. Though Jerry’s health slowed him down physically, it never stopped his joy of reaching out to others. He touched so many lives through his participation in Full Gospel Businessmen, having Bible Studies in nursing homes, hosting GriefShare, coordinating bell ringers for Salvation Army, spending time as a chaplain at hospitals, and volunteering for Feeding for Christ. This last year was physically taxing for Jerry, but he never complained. If asked, he would tell you that “God knows what He’s doing”. Jerry Miller, you ran your race well and have won the prize for you are now beholding the Face of the One who chose you so long ago! There will be a Celebration of Gerald's Life Service Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 AM at Restoration Church 5614 Richardson Road, Sarasota.

Gerald Lee Miller

January 18, 1948 - March 24, 2024