Looking Back: Larry H. Miller Passed Away In 2009
Feb 20, 2019, 10:15 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2019, 4:10 pm
Larry H. Miller leads fans and players in a moment of silence for Bobbye Sloan, the wife of jazz coach Jerry Sloan died of cancer in 2004. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)
(Tom Smart, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It was 10 years ago that entrepreneur, philanthropist and Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller passed away.
He died at age 64 from a rare incurable disease known as calciphylaxis, that he was diagnosed with just one week before his death. He had dealt with type 2 diabetes.
The Utah native was a 50 percent owner of the Utah Jazz in 1985 as he paid $9.5 million. Just 14 months later, he purchased the other 50 percent of the team from Sam Battistone for $17.3 million on June 16, 1986.
The Jazz team was put into a legacy trust in the Miller family that will have the team remain in Salt Lake City for years to come and having funds put back into the franchise.
Jazz owner Larry Miller and Karl Malone share a light moment during warmups prior to the season-opening game on Tuesday Oct. 30, 2001. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)
The entrepreneur was heavily involved in sports in the state of Utah by also owning the Salt Lake Bees baseball team – the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He built the Delta Center – now known as Vivint Smart Home Arena.
He launched the Tour of Utah, which is a professional road bicycle racing stage race around the state of Utah. When the Utah Starzz of the WNBA was in existence, he was the owner of the franchise before moving to San Antonio.
Larry H. Miller passed away 10 years ago today. He was an incredible example of doing business the right way, investing in the community, and living with passion. He is undoubtedly proud of what has become of his life’s work and how his family has built on his legacy.
— Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) February 21, 2019
Miller also has multiple car dealerships and movie theaters among other businesses.
