GARY LEE MILLER

Gary Lee Miller, 68, of Holden, Missouri, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021.

Gary was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Clun LeRoy Miller, Jr. and Arlene Mae (Hartman) Miller, who preceded him in death.

Gary graduated from Reedsburg High School, in the Class of 1971.

Before moving to Missouri, Gary owned a cheese store and apartments in Wisconsin.

He was a test car driver for Honda in California, as well as a ski instructor in Colorado.

Gary was a car salesman by trade and was the owner of Dandy Car Lot in Kansas City, MO and Interstate Exchange in Holden, MO.

He also had a partnership in Holden Motors in Holden, MO. Gary was a car enthusiast.

He loved to work hard and play hard. He loved his family and enjoyed vacation time, outings and working alongside them in the shop.

His favorite quote was “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Gary’s heart was full of adventure. He loved to play around and have food fights.

He loved to go fast and pop wheelies on his motorcycle.

He loved the water and in his younger days he loved to surf, snow ski, go on float trips and play on sand dunes.

He enjoyed drag racing on the strip, racing cars and restoring old classic muscle cars.

He loved fast cars and was known to race back from the car auctions at night all the way across town. Gary married Stacie Mertell in Miami, Oklahoma in 1986.

They were married for 20 years. They rekindled their relationship and were engaged in 2020.

Gary had been a resident of Holden, MO since the late ‘80s. He was of the Christian faith. Gary is survived by his fiancée, Stacie Madden of Parkville, MO; two sons, Morgan Miller of Plain, WI, and Jimmy Mertell and wife Makayla of Meriden, KS; four grandchildren, Isabelle, Ayden, Tanner and Emily Mertell; one sister, Linda Gunnufson of Garden City, MO; one nephew, Jeremy Liska and wife Valery of Rio Rancho, NM; one niece, Roxanne Kegin of Kansas City, MO; six great-nieces and nephews, Nico, Noah, Kaylea, Cody, Karli and Brendon. A Celebration of Life memorial will be scheduled at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.castfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Campbell-Cast Funeral Home.