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Mickey L. Miller, 82, died Sunday, April 27, 2003 in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Louise Dean Miller; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Sid Kelly of Corrales, Lee and Randy Parks of Pasadena, CA and Lynne and Rich Carson of Albuquerque; and one grandson, Daniel Miller Parks of Pasadena, CA. Mr. Miller was born July 26, 1920, at Women's & Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, retired in 1990 after teaching, coaching and serving as athletic and activities director for Albuquerque Public Schools for 44 years. He was the first teacher-coach hired for Highland High School, three years before the school opened in 1949. He taught mathematics and history while coaching football, basketball and baseball at the then-Jefferson Junior High School. He became assistant principal at Highland in 1963 and transferred to Albuquerque Public School's central office in 1970. Miller graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1939, starring in football, basketball, and baseball, and from UNM in 1943, earning nine UNM varsity letters in the same three sports. He is one of two Lobo athletes to earn these honors. He received a master's degree in administration of secondary athletics from Columbia University, New York City, in 1949. He wrote a handbook in this field after retiring. He had written a number of handbooks on elementary physical education, high school athletics, high school activities, and student responsibilities and rights before his retirement. For several years Mr. Miller scouted for several major league baseball teams, with particular service for the Pittsburg Pirates. Former NM Governor, Bruce King appointed him in 1992 as a public member of the NM Dentistry Board, on which he served six years. His awards include citations from Highland High School, Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico Coaches Association, New Mexico Officials Association, New Mexico Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance, and the six-state Southwest District AAHPERD, having served as president of each of the organizations. In 1999, Miller was presented an honor award by the National AAHPERD at its convention in Boston, the only New Mexico and Southwest District member ever to receive this honor. The UNM Alumni Lettermen's Association, of which he was the founding secretary-treasurer, elected him to its Hall of Honor in 1994, and he was inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Miller was one of the UNM players honored at the Legends of Lobo 100 Years of Basketball dinner earlier this year. Miller served as an usher at the First United Methodist Church, of which he was a lifelong member. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UNM. Services will be held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Fourth and Lead SW. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Pallbearers will be his three sons-in-law, Dr. Randy Parks, Dr. Rich Carson and Sid Kelly and Jack Easley, Jim Hulsman and Buddy Robertson. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Rushing, Hugh Hackett, Clem Charlton, Bud Adams, James Paulantis, William Thompson and former Governor Bruce King. All Highland High School athletes who played for Coach Miller and his UNM Lobo teammates will be considered honorary pallbearers. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 11038, 87103; to the Mickey and Louise Miller UNM Sports Medicine Endowment Fund; or to the American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas NE, 87110. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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