GUNNISON, Colo. – Western Colorado University and Western Cross Country and Track & Field are mourning the passing of Mountaineer Luke Miller. The distance runner tragically passed on Jan. 10 due to complications from epilepsy.
 
Miller was born on May 24, 1998 in Paducah, Kentucky and moved to Springfield, Missouri at the age of 18 months. Miller graduated as a scholar and tremendous runner from Glendale High School in 2017
 
Miller came to Western in the fall of 2017, where he made an instant impact on the Mountaineer distance team. As a true freshman, Miller helped Western earn a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship Cross Country meet.
 
Tragically, the following summer Miller was diagnosed with epilepsy and took a leave of absence from school this past fall.
 
Miller was determined to overcome his illness and return to the Mountaineers. After it seemed Miller had indeed pulled through, he registered for classes this spring.
 
Miller passed away at his grandparent's home in Centennial, Colorado, a day before returning to Western.
 
Luke is survived by his parents, Kelly and Mark, a younger brother, Ethan, his paternal grandparents, Richard and Lee Miller, and his maternal grandmother, Mary Anne Shackleford, along with countless uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Jack Shackleford.
 
Luke's family would like to ask those who knew and loved him to cherish his memory forever.
 
A visitation for Luke will be held at Greenlawn East Funeral Home in Springfield on Wednesday, January 16 from 5-8 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held at the Venues Church on East Battlefield at noon on Thursday, January 17. The family asks that attendees to the celebration of life wear Western Colorado University colors Crimson and Slate.
 
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Luke's name to either the Glendale Cross Country team or to the Western Colorado University Cross Country/Track and Field Fund.
 
To make a gift to Western, donations can be made online at https://westernup.org/ by selecting "Other Funds" and entering Cross Country/Track & Field in the comment box. Please also note that the gift is in memory of Luke Miller. If you prefer to make a donation by check, please make checks payable to "WCU Foundation" with "In Memory of Luke Miller - Cross Country/Track & Field" in the memo line.
 
Address:
Western Colorado University Foundation
In memory of Luke Miller
909 East Escalante Drive
Gunnison, CO 81230
 
To make a gift to Glendale Cross Country, please make checks payable to "Glendale Cross Country" and write "In memory of Luke Miller" in the memo line. Mail checks to:
 
Glendale High School Cross Country
Care of: Kenneth Bowling
2727 South Ingram Mill Road
Springfield, Mo 65804