Glen Orville Miller

Glen Orville Miller

​The Rev. Dr. Glen Orville Miller passed away July 11, 2023, at the age of 92 at Stone Creek Senior Living, North Richland Hills, Texas. He was born February 4, 1931, the seventh child of Lewis B. Miller and Henrietta “Retta” (Barge) Miller, at the family farm in Enid, Oklahoma.
 
He received his elementary education at Freehome School, a one room country schoolhouse near the family home. He attended junior and senior high school in Enid graduating May, 1949. College work began at Phillips University in Enid where he completed his freshman and sophomore years and then continued at Oklahoma City University where he received his B.A. degree in May, 1953. He graduated from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a Master of Theology in 1956. That same year he was ordained as an Elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the Methodist Church.
 
On February 6, 1954, Glen married fellow OCU student Nancy Morehouse at her hometown, Afton, Oklahoma. They shared in ministry for 25 years and raised three children, Shirley, Karen, and Richard, prior to Nancy’s death in March, 1979.
 
Glen received his license to preach in the spring of 1949 at the age of 18 beginning a life-long ministry of serving 18 different United Methodist local churches. In addition, he was appointed to Oklahoma City University twice: once as Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Church Leadership Center for four years and then from 1988-1995 as the Vice-President of Church Relations, his last appointment before retiring from the United Methodist itineracy.
 
Throughout his career, Glen also provided leadership on numerous conference agencies, such as chairing the Board of Ordained Ministry, overseeing the training and approval of new pastors. On August 25, 1985, OCU awarded Glen an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree. Earlier in his career, his leadership in civic affairs earned him the Distinguished Service Award of the Jaycees of Anadarko and later he was listed in the 1967 edition of Outstanding Young Men in America.
 
Glen loved leading Methodist youth camps and specialized in games and his infamous folk dancing lessons! Of particular interest to Glen and the entire Miller family is the history of Canyon Camp near Hinton. In the early 1950s, Glen’s parents were instrumental in securing that property for the Oklahoma Conference. In 2011 Glen wrote Devils Canyon, a well-researched history of the camp and its distinctive natural environment.
 
Glen married Shirley “Yvonne” Miller on November 26, 1982, and they enjoyed over 40 years of marriage. Together they served First UMC in Chickasha and OCU. Retiring to Enid, they restored the family farm and were active at both New Hope UMC and First UMC, Enid, including the conference clergy retiree fellowship. Glen was particularly interested in the mission work of their local church, singing in the choir, and programming with the congregation’s senior adults. They enjoyed traveling and time with their children and grandchildren. His hobbies included woodworking (building church-shaped birdhouses) and cultivating a large tasty vegetable garden.
 
Glen faithfully served in ministry in The United Methodist Church for 42 years and kept the faith until the end.
 
Glen Miller was predeceased by spouses, Yvonne Miller on the day before he died and Nancy Miller in 1979, his parents, and his seven sisters and brothers and their spouses. He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Shirley Miller and Keith Head; Karen Miller and Tim Smith; and Richard Miller and Cathy Miller. Surviving also are his grandchildren (and great-grandchildren): Patricia and husband David Toombs; Shannah and husband Andy Porter (Arthur, Franklin, and Beatrice); Zachary Head; Andy and wife Jordan Smith (Caleb and Maxwell); Michael Smith and wife Rachael Flohrs (Josephine and Archer Smith); Ryan and her husband Tim Winkler Herr (Auggie, Hank, and Kit); and Brandon and his wife Cara Winkler (Bennett and Tyler). He is also survived by brother-in-law Jim Krause and sister-in-law Karen Cannon and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his stepdaughter Michelle Foster who provided loving care in Glen’s last years.
 
All are invited to the Memorial Service for Glen and Yvonne at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 22, in First United Methodist Church, 401 W Randolph Ave, Enid, OK 73701. For information about livestreaming or viewing the recording, call First UMC at 580-237-2041.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be given to the following:
 
First United Methodist Church of Enid – 401 W Randolph Ave, Enid, OK 73701. 580-237-2041.
 
Canyon Camp – Give online at https://okcamps.org/ways-to-give/ or mail a check to Canyon Camp, 31600 Camp Rd, Hinton, OK 73047. Specify in the memo line on the check that the funds are to be directed to Canyon Camp in memory of Glen O. Miller.
 
Oklahoma City University Wimberly School of Religion – Check payable to Oklahoma City University with “Glen O. Miller Endowed Ministry Scholarship” in the memo line. Mail to: Oklahoma City University Office of University Advancement, P.O. Box 2780, Oklahoma City, OK 73101. 405-208-7000. Or give online at https://www.okcu.edu/advancement/development/ways-to-give.
 

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