Lawrence Horne Miller (April 26, 1944 - February 20, 2009) is a Utah businessman and philanthropist known as the owner of the Utah Jazz National Basketball Association (NBA) and Salt Lake Bees, a Triple-A Minor League Baseball franchise. Miller and its company also have more than 60 automotive dealerships across the Western United States, and other business ventures, including Prestige Financial Services, Inc., Jordan Commons (Megaplex theaters, KJZZ-TV, Miller Motorsports Park, the FANZZ chain of sportswear stores, the Saxton Horne ad agency - is named after Miller's wife and middle name, and Vivint Smart Home Arena (formerly known as the EnergySolutions Arena or Delta Center), all of which are still owned by the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies (LHM Group).
Video Larry H. Miller
Biography
Miller was born Lawrence Horne West to Mary Lorille Horne and Howard Hanley West. His parents divorced in 1946, and in June 1948 his mother married Frank Soren Miller. Larry was legally adopted by his stepfather in September 1949 and his last name was changed to Miller.
After graduating from High School, Miller was employed in construction by his uncle William Reid Horne until 1964, when he worked for American Auto Parts. Softball and drag racing, his two interests, helped start his career in sports and cars. From 1963 to 1970, Miller raced the car, and from 1962 to 1985 he was a fast-paced softball player, playing in Salt Lake City and the Denver metro league.
In 1976, he became part manager and later became part manager and service department for Utah auto dealerships. In 1970, he moved to Denver to play softball and worked as part manager for two Toyota dealers. In 1978, he was promoted to operations manager at five Toyota stores.
Larry H. Miller is a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Miller married his high school lover Gail Saxton on March 25, 1965. They were the parents of five children: Gregory Scott, Roger Lawrence (August 21, 1968 - August 18, 2013), Stephen Frank, Karen Rebecca and Bryan Joseph. He is the grandfather of twenty-six grandchildren.
Maps Larry H. Miller
Business achievement
Miller formed a business partnership with William Horne to buy a Toyota dealer in Salt Lake City, a suburb of Murray. Opened on May 1, 1979 as Larry H. Miller Toyota. In October 1981, Miller bought his uncle's share in the business. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he acquired a number of car dealerships in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, creating Larry H. Miller Automotive Group. In 2007, Selling Power listed it as the 10th largest US auto dealer, with forty-two dealers and $ 13,500,000 in sales.
After a failed attempt to start a television channel on the remaining VHF frequencies in the Utah market, Miller purchased an independent Salt Lake City KXIV station in February 1993. He then changed his summons to KJZZ-TV as a reference to the Utah Jazz. In 2016, the station was sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Miller also owns Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theater, Prestige Financial, Miller Motorsports Park, Saxton Horne Communications, Fanzz (chain sportswear & memorabilia outlet), and Jordan cinema/restaurant along Wasatch Front. Currently there are eleven Megaplex Theaters located in shopping centers, including ten in Utah at The Gateway mall in downtown Salt Lake City, Jordan Commons at Sandy, The District in South Jordan, The Junction at Ogden, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Cedar City , Centerville, Logan, St. George, West Valley City, and Vineyard; as in Mesquite, Nevada. Together with a total of 191 screens. In 2010, Megaplex on Thanksgiving Point began displaying a large-format movie on Mammoth Screen.
Sports engagement
Miller became co-owner of Utah Jazz when he bought a 50% stake in the team on April 11, 1985 for $ 9.5 million. On June 16, 1986, he bought the remaining 50% from Sam Battistone for $ 17.3 million.
Miller built the Vivint Smart Home Arena (formerly Delta Center) in downtown Salt Lake City to become the home of the NBA Jazz team.
Miller is an unpaid consultant on the project to build Smith's Ballpark (formerly Spring Mobile Ballpark), which is now home to the Los Angeles Angels of Triple-A Anaheim, the Salt Lake Bees. He bought the team in 2005 and changed the name from Salt Lake Stingers to the Bees.
He also owns the Salt Lake Golden Eagles ice hockey team, which he bought in September 1989.
Miller is also the owner of Utah Starzz WNBA team (Starzz refers to former successful ABA team, Utah Stars and double-z in Jazz). Miller sold the team in 2002 to San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt who moved the team to San Antonio and changed his name to twice, first as the Silver Star of San Antonio and currently the San Antonio Star.
The Millers has former Miller Motorsports Park, a street racing course that has hosted domestic and international car and motorcycle racing events.
Larry H. Miller Tour from Utah is an annual professional road cycling race.
Decreased health and mortality
Miller has been experiencing a health decline for several years. In June 2008, Miller suffered a severe heart attack, and was hospitalized for 59 days with complications that included kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, requiring blood transfusion. In October, he developed bone infection and diabetic ulcers on one leg that require outpatient surgery. On January 23, 2009, Miller underwent an operation to amputate both legs six inches below the knee, due to complications of type 2 diabetes.
On February 20, 2009, surrounded by family at his home, Miller died of complications of type II diabetes. On the day of his death, at a press conference attended by his family and doctors, it was revealed that his diabetes was exacerbated by a rare and incurable disease known as calciphylaxis, which was diagnosed only one week before his death.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. issued the following statement on February 20, 2009 concerning the death of Larry H. Miller:
"Every citizen in our country feels a bit empty today Larry is Utah and Utah is Larry, he inspires countless people and serves countless We have all been made better with his marvelous life Mary Kaye and I want to express love and our deepest sympathy for his wonderful wife, Gail, and their whole family and wishing they had a deep condolence at this difficult time. "
Jon Huntsman has appointed Miller to lead the Commission of Governors to Strengthen Utah Democracy in January.
NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a statement about Miller's death: "I am deeply sorry to extend my condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family." Larry's legacy surpassed the NBA as he touched many lives in Salt Lake City through his business and charity efforts. lost a great leader, colleague, and friend today.We will miss him. "
On February 21, 2009, Utah Jazz played in Miller's name against the New Orleans Hornets, honoring him with a special ceremony and giving his condolences, and the game ball, to his wife, winning the match 102-88. They also wore a pin depicting the first Utah Jazz logo for the remainder of the season.
Public services
Miller contributes to causes and organizations, including a $ 21 million training center for law enforcement and corrective officers, as well as significant investment on campus for Salt Lake Community College, both named in his honor.
In November 1995, he formed Larry H. Miller Charities, whose mission statement was, "We give back to our community by focusing on integrated services and giving companies to women and children with an emphasis on health and education." Since its foundation, the foundation has raised more than $ 1 million, distributing it to charity organizations in the community where Larry H. Miller Group does business.
His public services were recognized by many awards, including Utah Minuteman Award from Utah National Guard in 1990, Honorary Law degree from Utah University in 1991, and Touring Achievement Award from the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor Bureau in 1992.
Controversy
KJZZ-TV
From 1995 to 2001, KJZZ-TV is a charter UPN affiliate. In October 2000, Miller demanded the right to breach his contract with the network if it increased "urban/ethnic programming" for up to two hours per week, due to the lack of minorities in the Metropolitan Salt Lake. This incident attracted national attention, and UPN immediately moved their program to KPNZ.
Casa Bonita's suit
In July 2000, Miller was sued by Casa Bonita, a Lakewood, Colorado restaurant for infringing intellectual property rights and unhealthy competition. The lawsuit alleges that Miller's restaurant, The Mayan, is a clone of a Colorado restaurant. According to the lawsuit, Miller had visited Casa Bonita several times starting in 1996, and asked to see the books. According to a lawyer representing Casa Bonita, "Tourists will be confused and our identification peculiarities will be blurred."
Brokeback Mountain
On January 6, 2006, the movie Brokeback Mountain was withdrawn from Miller Megaplex 17 at the last minute after Miller learned from a radio reporter that the film featured a gay romance. Other R-rated movies, such as the comedy Granny Boy and violent horror film Hostel are still allowed to display. As a result, the businessman was accused of showing a bias towards homosexuality.
The cancellation brought international attention to the theater. Gay Lesbian Bisexual Bisexual Community Center in Utah and other gay rights groups urged its members to avoid degrading Miller's businesses.
Miller then explains the cancellation, saying that he worries about "away from the traditional family", what he calls "a very dangerous thing." Miller notes that some people buy cars from their dealers as a form of support for the decision. He also expressed regret for his injured feelings as a result.
John Amaechi, a retired center who ended his career with Miller's Utah Jazz in 2003, publicly announced his homosexuality on February 7, 2007. Miller issued a statement the following day, acknowledging that he had made a bad decision in attracting Brokeback Mountain. > He describes it as a "spontaneous reaction" and says that he will probably let the film show up when faced with the same decision again; But he said he was still not sure how he would react to gay players publicly on his basketball team.
Places, buildings, and events named Miller
- Larry H Miller Campus for Salt Lake Community College
- Larry H. Miller Field
- Larry & amp; Gail Miller Public Education and Training Center - Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
- Miller Automotive Training Center - Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
- Miller Corporate Partnership Center - Salt Lake Community College Campus Miller
- Miller Free Enterprise Center - Salt Lake Community College Campus Miller
- Miller Professional Development Center - Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
- Miller Motorsports Park
- Larry H. Miller Tour Utah - bicycle race
- Larry H. Miller Softball Complex
- Larry H. Miller Court at Vivint Smart Home Arena
References
External links
- The Larry H. Miller Group
- UtahStories.com Larry H. Miller Legacy
- Larry H. Miller Automotive Group
- Luhm, Steve. "Larry H. Miller, owner of Jazz and automotive figures, died 64," The Salt Lake Tribune , Saturday, February 21, 2009.
- Obituaries in Deseret News
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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