Larry Miller

“Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – da Vinci

Return he did. Captain Larry R. Miller took his life on May 10, 2017, and sailed away to the blue skies he had loved for so long.

Born in Decatur, Ind., on May 20, 1948, to Darrel C. Miller and Nellie R. (Owens) Miller, he took to flight at an early age, receiving his pilot’s license even before his driver’s license. From a corporate pilot for Ball Corporation to an American Airlines captain of the Super 80, the skies were his home. After retirement, he continued flying with the Central Indiana Soaring Society and in his own planes, thriving on the stunt plane rides that turned the stomachs of many family and friends.

Even without wings, Larry flew. A 42-year member of the United States Parachute Association, he was happy under a canopy, spending time at jump centers around the Midwest and receiving numerous awards for his ­­­ 1,407 jumps, including the 4-Stack Award and the Canopy Crest Award.

Larry kept his feet on the ground long enough to enjoy some of the other things he loved, such as his two granddaughters, Alexa and Brooklyn Puckey. It was tough to find even a glimpse of the stubborn, proud and tough man when they were around – if ever there were fingers to be wrapped around, it was theirs.

At home in his sweat pants and white long-sleeve shirts, Larry enjoyed wood working, caring for his koi pond and taking long naps with the Puckey family dog, Bella. His jokes and playful spirit made him a friend to many and a stranger to few.

An honorably-discharged, highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran, Larry was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and AMVETS.

His memory will live on in the hearts of many: wife, Teresa Miller of Yorktown, Ind.; daughter, Tara (Bryan) Puckey of McCordsville, Ind.; granddaughters, Alexa and Brooklyn Puckey of McCordsville, Ind.; aunt and uncle, Glenn and Betty Klinger of Ohio City, Ohio; nephews, Greg (Lea) Miller and Chad (Robin) Miller of Monroe, Mich.; and a number of cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Nellie Miller, and brother, Leland Miller.

Services will be held Monday, May 15 at 10 a.m. in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur , Ind. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 14 from noon to 5:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home. Donations may be sent to the Lone Survivor Foundation, 2636 S. Loop West, Suite 280, Houston, TX 77054.

Blue skies, Larry. Fly high.