Dr. Gordon Proffit Miller, Sr.
December 24, 1930 – October 20, 2021
Wilkesboro, North Carolina – Dr. Gordon Proffit Miller, Sr., age 90 of Wilkesboro passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at his home.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Alleghany County with Dr. Bert Young officiating.
Dr. Miller was born December 24, 1930 in Wilkes County to William Reece and Nettie Proffit Miller. He grew up on a dairy farm in Laurel Springs. He graduated from Sparta High School in 1950 and entered North Carolina State College, graduating with a degree in Animal Industry. While attending NC State, he received an Army ROTC commission. After a two-year tour of duty in Korea, he returned to the dairy business until his acceptance into the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. After graduating in 1963, he was hired as a poultry pathologist by Holly Farms Poultry Industries.
Dr. Miller worked as Vice President of Live Production Services for Holly Farms Poultry until 1989, when Tyson Foods purchased Holly Farms. Dr. Miller continued with Tyson Foods as a Senior Vice President of Live Production and as Senior Veterinarian until his retirement in 2004.
Among many honors, Dr. Miller received the C.A. Bottorff Award from the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) in 1996 in recognition of his significant contributions as an avian pathologist to poultry health programs in North America. Dr. Miller was a life member of the AAAP, and a life member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Miller was well-known and respected in his local community. He was a charter member of the North Wilkesboro Rotary Club and served as its President from 1987-88. He was a Paul Harris Fellow Recipient. In 2006, Dr. Miller was inducted into the North Carolina Poultry Hall of Fame. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Melissa Utt; four brothers, William, Edwin, Kent, and David; and one sister, Mary Ruth Payne.
Dr. Miller is survived by his wife of 63 years, Myrtle Jean Hudler Miller of the home; one son, Gordon P. Miller, Jr. “Chip” and wife Paula of Springdale, AR.; five grandchildren, Gordon Miller of Berryville, AR, Cullen Miller of Springdale, AR, Mary Gordon Utt of New York, NY, Carolina Utt of Paris, France, and Brener Utt of Raleigh; one sister, Teresa Devane and husband, Dr. Lindsay Devane; one brother, John H. Miller and wife Angelia Miller of Sparta; son in-law, Paul W. Utt, and wife Anne of Raleigh, one sister in-law Bobbie Jones of Winston Salem; Many nieces and nephews; extended family, Rocky Proffit and wife Tammy of Davidson, Ricky Proffit and wife Dianne of Laurel Springs, Brady Proffit and wife Mitzi of Sparta, and Rita Proffit Wagoner of Sparta; and caregiver, Pam Osborne.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Laurel Springs Baptist Church, PO Box 145 Laurel Springs, NC 28644 or First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, PO Box 458, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, or Wilkes EMS PO Box 187 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.
Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com
