Monroe Lloyd Miller May 17, 1925 – January 03, 2019 Share this obituary Upload Photo| View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences Monroe Lloyd Miller, born May 17, 1925 to Abraham and Blanche Small Miller in Brooklyn, New York, passed away on January 3, 2019 in New Braunfels, Texas. He is predeceased by his parents, Abe (Lefty) and Blanche Miller and younger brother Yale Miller. Survivors are his wife, Carrell Metzke Miller of New Braunfels and his cousins Lisa A. Zakarin of Dallas and Marc Arkovitz, M.D., and his wife’s family locally, and in the South Texas area.
Raised during the depression in Brooklyn with his parents and younger brother, Yale, Monroe’s first job was sweeping out the “candy store” his parents owned. The candy store was the gathering place of many interesting characters and many interesting stories. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, Monroe entered the United States Coast Guard.
During WWII Monroe served as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class and Medic on the USS Cavalier, which was attached to the Marines. Monroe was involved in seven invasions including Saipan, Tinian, Philippines in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, his ship was torpedoed!
What remained of the USS Cavalier had to be towed back to Pearl Harbor. The day after his discharge from the USCG in 1945, Monroe enrolled at Long Island University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also took post graduate classes at Columbia University.
Monroe worked almost 25 years in the medical and equipment field. He was President of a division of Warner Lambert Company in Morris Plains, NJ prior to coming to Houston to become President of Hycel, Inc. When Hycel was sold, Monroe went back to NJ to become an Investment Banker. After moving to Sargent, Texas in 1989, Monroe helped start the Sargent Lions Club and worked the chairs to become President.
He also did the same with the Sargent Texas VFW Post 2412 where he was a life member. While not playing golf or fishing, he was also a Volunteer EMT. Moving to New Braunfels in May of 1997, Monroe joined the New Braunfels Noon Lion Club, sponsored by his father-in-law Ray Metzke.
Again, he worked the chairs, rising to the office of President in 2004. He was named a Melvin Jones Fellow (a high honor in Lionism) on June 15, 2005. In 2018, he passed his 26th year as a Lion.
He also transferred his Life Membership in the VFW to Post 7110 in New Braunfels in 1997. He joined the board of Eden Home in 2000, serving as President of the Board for six years, contributing his financial and business expertise. Serving on the 4A and 4B Boards as their Presidents he helped bring firms to New Braunfels that have contributed much to the city both financially and with dedicated employees contributing to the betterment of our community.
Two of his greatest surprises and honors were receiving the Besserung Award in 2007 at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet, and, receiving the Chair of the Board Award in the Field of Elder Care at the 2006 Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Being appointed by the City Manager to the Planning Board of the Central Texas Technology Center and being President of that group during the planning, development and building of CTTC was another honor for him. Monroe believed that not everyone is cut out to attend a four-year university.
However, he felt that continued education in order to obtain and hold on to a job was vital. He was passionate about what a facility such as CTTC could do for not only the youth but other workers that needed retraining for new jobs coming to New Braunfels, Comal County, Seguin & Guadalupe County. After CTTC was completed, he again was appointed to the Advisory Board of CTTC serving as its President.
He also served as Secretary of the Advisory Board as the Presidency alternated with the 4A representative from Guadalupe County. Monroe had a wonderful relationship with the Alamo Community College District and their Board of Trustees. In November 2006, The Alamo Community College District recognized him for his cutting-edge approach and Joint Partnership in the Creation and Advancement of The Central Texas Technology Center.
Having been active in an incubator project at Columbia University, Monroe brought his expertise and insight to a group of local professionals to start an incubator project in New Braunfels. Many businesses have “ribbon cuttings” and were closed within the first year or so. Although many of the people were very creative, they had no business training.
It was through this observation Monroe brought together a group of local professionals to start an “incubator project” to train these companies in how businesses are run. The by-laws and 501c. 3 applications were filed with the State in 2008.
The Center of Entrepreneurship was opened in early June 2008 with its first Board of Directors chosen and Monroe as its first Chair. The Spark Small Business Board is a direct result of Monroe’s work to assist the small business community in New Braunfels and Comal County. He loved New Braunfels and the people.
To those that came to see him at Eden Hill, you have no idea what those visits meant. And those that could not come, but called, he so enjoyed taking to you about what as happening now and “old” times. To the doctors that visited and called regularly, thank you from the bottom of his and the family’s heart.
To his extended family Lisa, September, and Reggie you gave Monroe much love and comfort and for that, I thank you. In his last days his two dogs, Livi and Mille and the two cats, Sam and Maizi, were by his side & also comforted him. A private religious graveside service with full military honors was held at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park on January 7, 2019.
The VFW Post 7710 Honor Guard performed the military honors with the flag folding and presentation conducted by Court Van Sickler and Randy Brown. The lovely religious service was conducted by Cantor Lisa Goldstein of Temple Chai in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial contribution in Monroe’s name be made to one of these charities or the charity of your choice: Honor Flight San Antonio de Valero and the joy their trips brought to many war veterans was Monroe’s pet project: 14080 Nacogdoches Road, PMB 340, San Antonio, TX 78247, 210-802-7472; Temple Chai was his spiritual home that brought him comfort: 15316 Heubner Road, Bldg.
3, San Antonio, TX 78248; for those who are suffering from lack of food due to loss of job or other hardship, our New Braunfels Food Bank can bring comfort to many through a memorial contribution: 1629 S. Seguin, New Braunfels, TX 78130. From 2-4 pm on Monday, January 21, 2019 a memorial service and reception will be held at Myron’s Prime Steakhouse in New Braunfels for family and friends. The service will be led by Rabbi David Komerofsky of Temple Chai in San Antonio.
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