Bees owner Larry H. Miller dead at 64

SALT LAKE CITY -- Larry H. Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake Bees, died Friday from complications of type 2 diabetes. He was 64.

Miller, a car sales mogul who turned the Jazz into one of the NBA's most stable teams, was at home with his family when he passed away, the team said in a statement.

"Every citizen in our state feels a little empty today," said Utah governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr.

"Larry was Utah and Utah was Larry. He inspired many and served countless. We all have been made better by his extraordinary life."

Miller had a heart attack in June 2008, then spent nearly two months in the hospital for complications from diabetes. He was in a wheelchair after his release from the hospital and his medical problems continued, leading to the amputation of his legs six inches below the knee in January.

Miller purchased the Salt Lake Bees franchise, then known as the Salt Lake Stingers, in February 2005. Miller changed the club's name back to the Bees in October 2005, and success followed -- the Bees enjoyed three consecutive Pacific Coast League Pacific North Division titles from 2006-2008. Salt Lake, the Los Angeles Angels' Triple-A affiliate, began the '08 campaign with a Minor League best 21-1 record.

"Larry Miller is a dear friend and great leader who cared deeply about his family, the state, his faith and his employees," said Randy Rigby, the president of the the Salt Lake Bees' ownership group, Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment.

"He has created a legacy that we, as his stewards, are committed to carry on and build in his honor," Rigby added. "His commitment to sports has changed the face of Utah forever."

Although he wasn't much of a basketball fan before he saved the Jazz from moving twice, Miller was an avid sports lover and accomplished athlete. He was a Hall of Fame softball pitcher and added the Triple-A baseball club to his sports empire.

Miller immediately changed the team's name from the Stingers to the Bees because he preferred the name, which was the moniker of the Salt Lake City Minor League club years before. He had to get permission from the Class A Burlington Bees to do it, but felt it was worth it to bring some tradition back to the ballpark, which he also bought with the team.

Miller embraced the team's fans when he took over, memorably offering local families free tickets.

"During the summer, there's no better way for you and your family to spend quality time together than by going out to a ball game," Miller said in 2005 after purchasing the club. "Now that school is out for the kids, I'd like to personally invite your family to experience the fun of a free Salt Lake game. Hey, it's not often you can go to a ball game on me!"

A tireless worker with a knack for the most minute details, Miller started his career in an auto parts shop, then built a car dealership empire that made him one of Utah's most recognized and influential people. Miller expanded his realm in 1985 when he bought a 50 percent share of the Jazz as the team appeared on the verge of moving to Miami.

Miller bought the rest of the team a year later, declining an offer that would have sent the team to Minnesota, and the team in the smallest media market in the NBA flourished. The Jazz made two straight appearances in the NBA finals in 1997 and 1998.

As owner of the Jazz, Miller became known for sitting in his courtside seat, wearing his trademark khakis, golf shirt and tennis shoes, for nearly every game and giving his players and fans an unobstructed view into his emotions.

Miller's first love was always cars and in 2005 he gave himself a multimillion dollar present when he built Miller Motorsports Park about 30 miles west of Salt Lake City. He wanted a venue to bring top-class auto racing to Utah -- and give himself a place to tinker with cars at will, then see what they could do when he got behind the wheel on the road course.

Miller is survived by his wife, Gail, and their five children: Greg, Roger, Stephen, Karen and Bryan.