Jack Byron Miller

Jack B. Miller, 81, Peru, Indiana, passed away at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Community Howard Regional Health, Kokomo, Indiana.

Born March 30, 1945, in Peru, Indiana, he was the son of Ernest Howard and Pauline Mildred (Marburger) Miller.

Jack graduated from North Miami High School in 1963 and later from International Business College in Ft. Wayne. He was a general contractor and was owner/operator of Design Build in Summerville, South Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Grimes) Carson; daughter, Leigh Miller (Britt) Stoudenmire; his grandchildren, Sadie, 12, and Isaac, 4; his sister, Carol “Annie” Powell, Rochester, Indiana; three stepdaughters, Dawn (Michael) Stelts, Pennsylvania; Hope (Roy) Bryant, Peru; and Roberta (John) Gwillim, Wabash; and seven step-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who became family.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Pauline Miller, of Gilead, Indiana, and his sister, Bonnie Jean Bahney.

Private burial will be in Gilead Cemetery

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Tribute to Jack B. Miller, written by his daughter, Leigh Stoudenmire

Jack Byron Miller, of Peru, Indiana, passed away on August 28, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, after severe complications following a fall. He was 81 years old. That's 29,736 days, 713,664 hours, or 42,819,840 minutes—as he would have been quick to calculate.

Jack was born to the late Ernest Howard and Pauline Marberger Miller and raised in Gilead, Indiana. A 1963 graduate and multi-sport athlete at North Miami High School, he attended Ball State University before earning his degree from International Business College in Fort Wayne. As a young man, he was involved with the Gilead Masonic Lodge, Zionsville Jaycees, and Scottish Rite.

Jack's career as a general contractor took his family to South Carolina in 1984. In 1992, he and his best friend, Steve Mueller, co-founded Design-Build Corporation. Jack believed in doing things the right way and that construction was as much about building relationships as buildings. More than three decades later, Design-Build continues to thrive throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry on those principles of integrity, hard work, relationships, and simply doing a little bit extra.

Jack's faith in Jesus Christ was at the heart of his life. He accepted Christ on a Sunday evening in September 1982 and described the experience as feeling like he'd put down an 80-pound bag of salt he'd been carrying. As a member of Bethany UMC in Summerville, SC, a 1987 mission trip to Haiti further shaped the way he viewed his responsibility to others. He was a longtime member of Northwoods Assembly in North Charleston, SC. Perhaps nothing summed up Jack better than the two pictures displayed behind his desk at Design-Build. One was Jack, hat cocked sideways and making fish lips at the camera, labeled “President & Founder.” Beside it was a picture of Jesus labeled “CEO.” Jack wasn't one to make a show of his faith. He prayed for people and found practical ways to help—giving away Jesus Calling devotionals, working closely with the Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center, writing letters of encouragement, quietly meeting needs, and occasionally doing something as unexpected as giving away a vehicle. He tried to live the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. He didn't do it perfectly—none of us do—but he spent his life trying to love people well.

He also spent a good bit of it “cutting up.” When something went sideways during the early years of Design-Build, Jack or Steve could be heard hollering through the office, “Whoooo! Just havin' fun!” That spirit followed Jack everywhere. There were “Bubba” teeth, “dress-up” days at the barn, ridiculous thrift-store outfits at the Indy 500, an appearance as “Mama” from Mama's Family at his sister Annie's workplace, and even the infamous “Dee-Shell Foot Mop” he fabricated after a joke between friends became an actual product idea. You truly never knew what to expect from Jack B. Miller—and that was part of the fun in knowing Jack.

After retiring, Jack settled on Lake Marion in Eutawville, South Carolina, where he loved hosting friends and family at the lake and for stays in the “Sugar Shack”. In 2014, he reconnected with high school classmate, Nancy, at their 50th reunion. They married shortly afterward, divided their time between Indiana and South Carolina for several years, and they eventually returned to live in Indiana full time.

Retirement also brought another title: Papa Jack. His grandchildren, Sadie and Isaac, brought him tremendous pride and joy. They didn't get nearly enough years with their Papa Jack, but what he gave them—and so many others—will remain long after him. Jack spent his life building things meant to last. The most important ones did: relationships, memories, and faith.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Pauline Miller, of Gilead, Indiana, and his sister, Bonnie Jean Bahney.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Carson; daughter, Leigh Miller (Britt) Stoudenmire; his grandchildren, Sadie, 12, and Isaac, 4; his sister, Carol “Annie” Powell, Rochester, Indiana; three stepdaughters, Dawn (Michael) Stelts, Pennsylvania; Hope (Roy) Bryant, Peru; and Roberta (John) Gwillim, Wabash; and seven step-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who became family.

Forty-two million, eight hundred nineteen thousand, eight hundred forty minutes.

And somehow, for those of us who loved him, it still wasn't nearly enough. But Jack always knew who his CEO was. And while we would gladly take more time with him, he believed that what followed his last minute here on Earth was simply his first moment in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A celebration of Jack's life will be held by his daughter in October, with details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to Ronald McDonald House--Charlottesville, an organization especially meaningful to his family.

Donations may be made online at ronaldmcdonaldhousecville.org/donate or mailed to Ronald McDonald House Charlottesville, 300 9th Street SW, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Please designate gifts “In memory of Jack Byron Miller.”