Charles "Charlie" W. Miller

Charles White Miller, 85, of Louisville, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 8, 2025. Born on August 2, 1939, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky to Josh and Doris Miller, Charles grew up on his family farm. He worked with mules, milked the dairy herd, and stripped tobacco. He loved sports and started on the 1957 Tompkinsville Bears team that reached the Boys Sweet 16, making the game winning shot flat on his back. Charles was an All-State football player for Tompkinsville, and he continued his career at Lindsey Wilson College and Western Kentucky University, where he obtained his undergraduate and Rank I degrees. Charles moved to Louisville to begin his career in education. He met his future wife, Mona Carmen Lott, through friends and married her in 1965. Charles and Carmen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February. Charles called Carmen the love of his life. They supported one another and worked tirelessly for the community their entire lives. Carmen survives Charles, along with their children Caroline Oyler (Mike), Charles Miller, and Stephanie Loher (Chris), grandchildren John Michael Oyler (Peyton), Nicholas Oyler, Elizabeth Oyler, Charlie Miller, Nate Miller, Isabella Slone, Olivia Slone, Eliza Loher and Miller Slone, and one great-grandson, Grayson Oyler, along with a host of treasured nieces, nephews and friends. A dedicated educator, Charles began his career as a biology teacher and football coach at Pleasure Ridge Park HS. He then became assistant principal at Doss HS. In 1978, he returned to PRP as Principal and more than 10,000 students graduated from PRP during his 25 year tenure. Charles’ love for athletics carried over, and the Panthers claimed the 1989 Boys State Basketball Championship and the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Baseball Championships while he was Principal. Charles loved PRP, and the students, teachers, staff, and volunteers that made it “World Famous.” He was awarded National Principal of the Year in 2000. Charles served 22 years as a State Representative in the General Assembly, serving the PRP and southwest Louisville communities, chaired the Board of Trustees for the PRP Fire Department, served as President of the Chamber of Commerce for south Louisville, along with leadership roles in the KHSAA Board of Control, the PRP Alumni Association, and many other boards. He was inducted into the Monroe County Hall of Fame, a very meaningful honor to him. Charles enjoyed his family compound at Nolin Lake, annual beach vacations in Florida, cheering for PRP and U of L teams, and dinners at his sister’s home in Tompkinsville while dropping in for a hamburger at Dovie’s. He deeply loved his family and community and lived his life to the fullest. He was a man of integrity, humor, conviction and optimism. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, legacy of leadership, kindness and his profound impact on the lives of countless young people. The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Obiokoye and the entire team at the Norton Heart Failure Clinic for the amazing care and support they have provided for the last six months. Visitation will be held on June 12, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the PRP High School Auditorium. Funeral services will be held on June 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the PRP New Gym, with private burial following at St. Andrew Cemetery. Owen Funeral Homes will oversee the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Charles’ favorite causes: Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing, 7410 Moorman Road, Louisville, KY 40272, The Bill & Vicki Miller Foundation, c/o Furman Nilsen & Oyler, 2527 Nelson Miller Parkway, Suite 101, Louisville, KY 40223 or The PRP Alumni Association, PO Box 58051, Louisville, KY 40268. For all PRP students, Charles wants you to “Have a Happy Day.”

Charles "Charlie" W. Miller

August 2, 1939 - June 8, 2025