FORT WORTH-Eddie Miller, 79, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Celebration of life: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at Brown Owens & Brumley Funeral Home.
Visitation: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2020, at the funeral home.
Eddie was born in Fort Worth Texas, on April 22, 1940, to Edwin and Mary Miller, and was raised by his grandparents, Eurie and Murray Miller.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of North Texas or to a charity of your choice.
Eddie grew up surrounded by music. He began playing piano at age 5. The Miller home had a music room filled with instruments: an organ, piano, bass fiddle, marimbas, and drums. A Saturday night family gathering often included music played on these instruments along with singing by Miller family members.
His professional music career began at age 16 and spanned 6 decades. This career included all aspects of entertainment including bartender, piano player, singer, and club owner. Eddie’s musical travels took him from Fort Worth to Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe to New Orleans and Gretna then back to Fort Worth where he retired in 2018 due to health issues.
While in high school, Eddie formed many lifelong friendships through his love of music, including his friendship with Delbert McClinton. At age 16 he was invited to play the piano with Delbert’s band, The Straitjackets.
Eddie married young and worked several jobs including a stint at the sheriff’s office, driving an ambulance, and even going to embalmer’s school.
But his love of music never left him and after leaving The Straightjackets, he formed his own band. However, Eddie’s and Delbert’s bands were never in competition, and fans would come to hear both bands. To this day, Eddie and Delbert remained devoted friends, along with many other friendships formed during his early years of music.
Eddie traveled extensively during his music career, playing in many clubs in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and then back to Fort Worth where he managed and performed at numerous clubs. His piano and singing were secondary to his desire to own and run clubs which he did for many years in Fort Worth and in New Orleans and Gretna, Louisiana.
In later years, Eddie continued to perform at various clubs, restaurants, private parties, and country clubs throughout the Metroplex. His retirement from the Metroplex music scene in 2018 left a void in the Fort Worth entertainment scene and in Eddie’s soul.
Eddie was charismatic and lived life to the fullest. Second to his love of music (and his B3 Organ!) was his love of spending time on Lake Benbrook with family and friends.
Eddie was a loyal friend and never hesitated to say, “I love you brother.”
Eddie was preceded in death by his daughter, Melody Tate; grandson, Jeremy Miller; father, Edwin Miller; and grandparents, Eurie and Murray Miller.
Survivors: He leaves behind his devoted companion of many years, Gwen DeMoultrie; loving aunt, Betty Miller; children, Tammy Woods, Timmy Miller, Terrie Cummins, Tracy Harrell, Anna Argeanton, and Blaine Miller; half siblings, Sally Parkinson, Richard Miller, and Mary Miller; 13 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved dogs, Taz, Sunny and Skye.
Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557
Donna Eakin
Eddie was such a wise and sweet soul. I loved talking to him, and he was so interesting telling me about his many travels. He will certainly be missed by many. Now he’s in heaven singing with the angels. Go rest high on that mountain!!
LINDA Harrell
Tracy, Tammy, Terry & Timmy…
My condolences & prayers for you & all your family. Eddie was a good man, always friendly to everyone. He lived a long full life & he touched everyone around him. Johnnie & I met Eddie a couple of times thru the years. I remember him always being so friendly.
Love to you all… Linda
Terrie
Thank you, Linda. Love you, too!
K Vaughan
Eddie will be greatly missed!
I pray God will give his family the comfort they need to heal from their loss.
Kathy Niewoehner
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers
For your family.
Rusty Hunt
What an interesting and full life he had. May God bless him and his huge family and friends.
Barry G. Miller
My love for Eddie and Gwen will transcend all time!
My warmest regards to Tammy, Tim, Terrie, Tracy, Anna, Sharon, Blaine and so many friends
of the wonderful soul of music, that was Mr. Eddie Miller.
Charlie Bassham
Eddie was a Great Musician Entertainer ⚡️And Friend He knew how yo keep people happy and Entertained RIP Brother The good lord has another fine organist in his band and choir
Jerry Clark
So sorry for our loss , seems we are losing great friends and musicians at an alarming rate.
Judy Stone (Neff)
My uncle Don Shaw played drums with Eddie. I baby sat with his kiddos when he was married to Betty years ago. So sorry for your loss. Our family often wondered what happened to everyone, and yes he was a great musician. My uncle is still alive and lives in Phoenix I’ll pass this along to him.
Rick Mumford
Lost a good one.
Prayers and thoughts to the family.
Carol Sanders
Sorry to hear of Eddie’s passing. Prayers and hugs to his family. Rest in Peace.
Janet L. Webb
I loved listening to Eddie sing! He was a great entertainer and a lot of fun. Eddie is truly missed!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Love, Janet
Amber Threlkeld
My dearest Gwen,
My condolences during your time of sorrow. I send my love to you and may Eddie rest in heaven peacefully. Many hugs to you.
Gwen
Thank you Amber. I love you too!
Karen Hinton
I am so sorry for your loss.We will always be here for you. You will always have a place in our hearts and family. I’m thankful I got know Eddie. We always had so much fun with both of you. My love and prayers are with you.
Gwen
Thank you Karen. I love you and Danny too!
Jim and Mary Pendleton
Dear Gwen,
I am so very sorry for your loss. You and Eddie had an amazing life together and he loved you more than life itself. He will be greatly missed.
Gwen
Thank you Mary and Jim. Thank you for the kind and reassuring talk you had with Eddie. Love you guys!
Herman Charpentier
My Condolences to the family. Eddie my friend we will miss you dearly. Thank you for being my neighbor and friend when I lived in Fort Worth. Love you my friend.
Dave Millsap
Sending love and prayers to Gwen, Mary and all the family.
Eddie’s taking requests in heaven …
RIP Big Daddy. Love you man.
Gwen
Thank you Dave. Eddie thought a lot of you and loved you. I forgot that you called him Big Daddy!
Penny Roberts
Tammy, your dad never hesitated to make me laugh! He was a good man and we shared many stories. He would walk out of the office singing, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!! He will be missed but singing in heaven now!! Penny R.
BillieJo Allred
RIP Eddie! May God be with your Family and give them strength You were an Amazing musician ❤️
Marc Matthews
Gwen, I’m sorry to have learned of Eddies passing. He was one of my most favorite keyboardists to have worked along side of, especially his band “Heavy Hitters”. where I enjoyed membership as his piano player. Always a kind word for everyone,and would do anything in the world for just about anybody. Please find peace that he is with his maker and that he will forever be remembered for his contributions in music and the friendships that he forged.