Patrick Ace Miller

January 27, 1943 - June 7, 2017

Posted

Pat Miller age 74 of Lance Creek, WY passed away Wednesday, June 7th 2017 at the Niobrara Community Hospital in Lusk.  

Funeral Service were held Monday, June 12th 2017, 3:00 PM at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium in Lusk.  Interment was at the Lusk Cemetery.   

Patrick Ace Miller was born to Aubrey Raymond and Velda Bernice (Penn) Miller on January 27, 1943 in the Lusk Hospital attended by Dr. Walter Reckling and Nurse Edith Culver.  He went home to a ranch east of Mosierviller in Lance Creek.  They stayed there and he went to school in Lance Creek until 3rd grade.  His parents sold the Lance Creek ranch and he then went to Lusk Grade School for one year then back to Lance Creek for 4th through 8th grade.  He went all 4 years to Niobrara County High School graduating in 1961.  After graduating he rodeoed and went to Jim Shoulders Rodeo School the following years.  He also worked in the oil fields. In 1972 he started a successful oilfield business, Miller Enterprises INC. at Lance Creek.

On February 21 1964 he married Beverly Jo Grant.  She was still in college, so they moved to Chadron then Moorcroft when she was out of school.  They moved to Igloo, South Dakota where Tiffany joined the family and Bev started her teaching career.  Pat worked at Black Hills Army Depot for 2 years and from there he went to Glenrock where Bev continued teaching.  Pat then started school at Casper College on a rodeo scholarship.  After 2 years at Casper College he graduated with an Associates of Science. 

They moved to Laramie that fall and he went two more years on a rodeo scholarship.  Pat graduated in 1971 with a degree in Animal Science.  After completing school they decided to move back to the ranch in Lance Creek.  They had purchased the ranch from his mother.  During the time on the ranch both Justen and Jason were born. 

Pat was very proud that all three of their kids received bachelor degrees, as well as receiving rodeo scholarships.  Rodeo was very good to Pat and Bev throughout the years.  Jason was a World Champion Steer Wrestler and Justen won many honors in rodeo, like the Regional Champion Bronc Rider.  Five of his grandchildren also went to college on rodeo scholarships and placed in college rodeo many times.  Granddaughter Jordan was a 2 time National Champion Goat Tier and a one-time reserve. 

Pat and Bev have donated much to the sport of rodeo with hopes that many other children might be as blessed as their family was by rodeo. 

Pat is survived by his wife, Bev of 53 years, his daughter Tiffany & John Thurston, son Justen & Tricia Miller, and son Jason Miller all of Lance Creek, Seven grandchildren, Jordan Ann, Ace, Colby and Brady Thurston, Megan, Colton, and Blake Miller, and 2 great grandchildren, One sister, Sharon & Jerry Kanode of Moorcroft, Wyoming, Numerous nieces and nephews, and his many friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings Wyoma, Clell, George, Ora Lee and Orese.

Pier Funeral Home in Lusk is in charge of funeral arrangements