Merrill Thomas "Tommy" Miller

Merrill Thomas (Tommy) Miller passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the age of 66.

He was born on May 25th,1959 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tommy grew up in Marked Tree, Arkansas and graduated from Marked Tree High School. He attended Arkansas State University and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. He received a Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. His professional career began in 1986 with the Kneibert Clinic in Piedmont, Missouri. He later purchased Primary Eyecare Clinic in Kennett, Missouri where he served the community for 31 years. His last years of practicing optometry were in Montana.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jan Denton Rhoads Miller of Kennett, Missouri, his sister, Marian Sue Miller Douglas (Roy), his brother, Jerry Keith Miller, (Joy LeRae Jackson Miller), nephew James Roy Douglas, Jr, nieces Jaclyn Annette Miller Garner (Dakota) , Jeanna Leigh Miller Spears (Colby), Andrea Lammers Tharnish (Scott), great nephew Beau Logan Garner and great niece Addison Tharnish.

Preceding Tommy in death were his parents, Owen Thomas Miller and Betty Jean Hamlet Miller, and infant brother Marcus Glenn Miller.

Being outdoors was Tommy’s greatest passion. Tommy loved hunting especially the most challenging turkey hunting, fishing, water sports, and golfing. Tommy and Jan enjoyed camping and skiing weekends at Lake Norfolk. One of their most memorable life adventures was a big game safari in South Africa. His most prized possessions were his guns. Tommy inherited his love of Razorback sports and the St. Louis Cardinals from his Grandmother Mae.

His intelligence, sweet smile, curiosity and search for perfection will not be forgotten. Those who knew Tommy understood he was always ready for an adventure as he enjoyed experiencing life on the edge.

A celebration of Life will be held at Delancey Funeral Home in Marked, Tree, Arkansas on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 1:00 P.M.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in Tommy’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the National Wild Turkey Federation.