Franklin James Miller, Sr., 52, of Bay City passed away December 31, 2020. He was born March 31, 1968 in Charleston, South Carolina to Henry Arthur Miller and Nancy Jeane Stevens Miller.

Frankie Miller was defined by many titles: son, brother, uncle, coach, pastor, husband, and father. So anxious to begin life, he was born in an elevator on the way to the delivery room. He grew up rambunctious and fun-loving, immediately making friends wherever he went. He loved playing football, riding his bike, and horsing around with his friends and family daily. He was the life of the party wherever he went – his smile, as well as his dancing, could truly light up the darkest room.

During his twenties, he met the love of his life Kristi, on a trampoline at a birthday party. They married nine months later surrounded by family and friends in New Milford, Connecticut. Shortly after, they moved to Texas to pursue ministry and start their life together.

Frankie was a millwright by trade, but found a deeper passion working in Children's ministry and as a football coach in his community. His greatest joy was being a husband to Kristi for 26 years, and a dad to Brittany Rose, Aubry Joy, Frankie Jr., and most recently, his honorary son, Josh. He was a wonderful role model to young people everywhere, as well as his coworkers and friends. He loved Jesus with all his heart, and always brought joy to others. He was truly a righteous man in every sense. He will be dearly missed by so many, but none more than his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law Emanuel Schaarschmidt, nephew Justin Purdy and Grandmother Thelma Jones.

Survivors include his wife, Kristi Schaarschmidt Miller; parents Henry and Nancy Miller; daughters Brittany Rose Miller and Aubry Joy Miller; son Franklin James Miller, Jr.; sister Nia Dubret (Michael) and brothers Greg Miller and Wade Miller (Lisa Mason Miller); mother-in-law Patricia Grant & husband Albert; brothers-in-law Lee Schaarschmidt (Deb), Jason Schaarschmidt and Dan Purdy; sisters-in-law Cindy Lu McTiernan (Larry) and Christine Miller; uncle Frank Stevens and aunt Anne Craft as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 AM with Rev. Wade Floyd officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Caden Bradford, Joey Davalos, Ashton Wallace, David Perez, Frankie Miller Jr., Joshua Dalphinis and Mike Hutson. Honorary pallbearers will be Noe Cano Sr., Jonathan Zamora and Robert Bustos.

If attending the visitation or service, please come as you are. Livestream of the service will be available on the FUMC Bay City Facebook page, or at https://fumcbaycity.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Miller Children's Education Fund at TDECU or via PayPal at paypal.me/MillerEduFund