Hon. Kenneth "Mike" Miller, Judge Executive of Marshall County, age 70 of Benton, KY died on Monday, December 15, 2014, at the Marshall Co. Hospital E. R. in Benton, KY.
Throughout his years of service to the people of Marshall County, Judge Miller had been instrumental in not only the day to day operation of county government, but through his leadership and guidance, the citizens of Marshall County have seen many improvements to Marshall County including the creation of the Marshall County Ambulance Service; creation of the Marshall County Senior Citizens Program, including facilities located in Benton, Hardin, and Calvert City; creation of the Marshall County Parks System - with day use parks located throughout the county; and he oversaw the creation of nine fire protection districts. Also during Judge Miller’s tenure, new facilities were built housing the Marshall County Health Department - including facilities located in Benton, Hardin, and Calvert City; and new facilities were constructed housing the Marshall County Road Department, the Marshall County Refuse Department, the Marshall County Recycling Department, and the Marshall County Animal Shelter.
Judge Miller was involved in the community. From 1999 through June 2005 he served as a member of the Board of Regents at Murray State University. He served locally, statewide, and regionally as a member of the following:
· Chairman of the Board of the Marshall County Health Department
· Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority Board
· Purchase Area Development District Board
· Kentucky Association of County Officials Board
· Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association Board
· Board of the Marshall County Exceptional Center
· Board of the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments
· West Kentucky Allied Services Board
Judge Miller had also been awarded the rank of Kentucky Admiral as well as Kentucky Colonel. He was the recipient of several awards including the 2002 Paul Mason Memorial Award, 1999 Outstanding Citizen from Woodmen of the World, and the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce.
Judge Miller began serving as Marshall County Judge in 1974 and at that time was the youngest Judge ever elected in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and after 40 years of continuous service, was the longest serving Judge in the Commonwealth.
Born Saturday, October 28, 1944 in Calloway Co., Kentucky, he was the son of the late Leemon Owen Miller Sr. and the late Pansy (Phillips) Miller. He was a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher. He was also a veteran of the US Army and served during the Vietnam Era.
Surviving are his wife, Chyrill (Dexter) Miller of Benton, KY; sons, John Keith Miller, wife Candace of Benton, KY and Shawn Miller, wife Rebecca of Murray, KY, brothers, Harold Miller of Benton, KY, Bobby Miller of Benton, KY and Jim Miller of Mt. Vernon, IL, sister, Mary Theobald of Paducah, KY; and grandchildren, John Isaac Miller and Olivia Rose Miller. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Leemon Owen Miller, Jr., and sisters, Martha Ward and Nelle Cole.
A Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center located at 416 High School Rd. Benton, Kentucky 42025 with Former Gov. Paul Patton, Rep. Will Coursey, Brian Roy, and Bro. Joel Frizzell officiating.
Interment with full military honors will follow in Pace Cemetery, Hardin, KY.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center. An additional visitation will be held after 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Friday, December 19, 2014.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Marshall County Exceptional Center, 198 Old Symsonia Hwy, Benton, KY 42025.
